Lucy Locket

Last days of Summer

2011-09-13T22:25:00.005+01:00

Autumn is my favourite time of year; I've had enough of the heat (what we had of it), and Summer clothes, by the time I return to work in September, and I'm ready to start wearing thick tights and trousers and warmer tops. Trouble is it's still mild so I spend a lot of time fanning myself and removing layers then wrapping up again , although it's more likely to my age than the weather.

One thing I don't enjoy about Autumn is knowing the car boot sale season is coming to an end. They run all year round in some areas, but not around here, so come early October they stop and I have to satisfy myself with Charity shop browsing for six months or so. I made the most of the fine weather last Sunday morning and visited two local boot sales. I love the buzz of not knowing what you might find, and I picked up some great stuff.

A pressure cooker for £1.50. My Mum used one of these when I was a child, it always scared me a bit, but I've been reading about them on Money Saving Expert and thought I'd give one a go. I've been keeping my eye open for one for a while and finally struck lucky. I'll keep you posted on how I get on with it, I usually try some new recipes over the School holidays so roll on half-term.

I got a couple of DVDs for my collection, including The Social Network, for 50p each. A couple of books, £1 each. And best of all a pile of clothes all my size from one lady, around 20 items for £9...absolute bargain. I'm always on the lookout for work clothes as I need to look smart but can't spend a fortune on them. These will make a welcome addition to my work wardrobe, for a fraction of the cost. Here's hoping for dry Sundays for a few more weeks yet.

I picked up this book from a boot sale a couple of months ago, and have just finished reading it...it's one of the best books I've read for years, I can highly recommend it.

Even more exciting, the film version is released on 28th October. I think this will be an Oscar winner, can't wait to go and see it. Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing. x

It's been a long time

2011-09-05T20:02:00.008+01:00

So, it's been a long long time since my last post. I'm not even sure that anyone will read this post. But I've been itching to start blogging again for a while now and I'm ready to get back in the saddle. I had good reasons for stepping back from blog world, and whilst I'm not looking for sympathy, or messages of support, I do believe that if I'm to keep this blog real then I should tell a little about what's been happening the past 18 months or so. Get it out of the way, then I can get on with the fun staff I always enjoyed writing about and sharing with like-minded folk.
I was unlucky enough to be diagnosed with breast cancer back in January 2010, and there followed 18 months of being prodded, disfigured, pumped full of nasty nasty chemo drugs, zapped with radio waves, pumped full of more nasty drugs for a year, and now I'm on Tamoxifen for the next four years which is crap. But it's fantastic too because it's done what it should and all is looking good for me now. The outlook is positive and I'm ready to get on with life. I know I'm one of the lucky ones because the medical profession were able to do so much to help me and I'll be eternally grateful.

I've read that people who go through a life-threatening illness or similer, often change their lives completely when they've through the worst, and try to experience all sorts of things they've always wanted to do such as sky-diving, or swimming with dolphins, or going in hot-air balloons. Can't see it myself, I certainly don't feel like that. But, I want to take pleasure in the little things in life, and blogging is one of those. During the worst days last year, when I could barely get from bed to sofa then back to bed, I still read my favourite blogs and enjoyed seeing what others were up to. So I'm starting anew, sharing the same stuff with you that I always did, 'cos it's never gone away. Lots of thrifting, home projects, cooking, money saving tips, anything else that inspires me really.

I thought I'd talk about world maps today. Hmm I hear you say, that's not very exciting. But I've noticed more and more world maps being used as a decorative item in the home, as I've browsed t'internet.

You could have a whole wall wallpapered. I think my house is too small to carry this look off

You can buy a world map canvas from Ikea. But at £100, a bit beyond my budget.

I generally work out a cheaper way to get the look I want, and I came across this fabulous world map wrapping paper at Cooper's

It just so happened that I had a large frame on the wall on my landing, with a very boring print in it, which was the perfect fit for the map. So, after carefully removing the old picture, ironing the creases out of the wrapping paper, and fixing it in place on the mount with double sided tape, I gave the frame a gentle rub down with sandpaper to "shabby" it up a bit.

Tada!

I'm delighted with the result. Just what I wanted and it only cost £3.00! Today is a good day.

tadaa.....!

2009-04-14T22:14:00.013+01:00

With a final flourish The Big Paint Job was completed just before Easter. And I think it worked.....when your heart desires a cupboard like this but it's way out of your pocket, well you have to compromise a bit :)

Painted with one coat of undercoat and two coats of Farrow & Ball oil-based eggshell in Dimity, rubbed down slightly on the edges to "shabby" it up. I retrieved my china collection from various cupboards around the house and it looks so much better displayed in one place. Best of all I've gained a store cupboard, now I can take advantage of those BOGOF bargains!DH even suggested we look out for another dresser or cupboard, to paint and give us more storage....I think I've converted him, yay!

I managed to get to a boot sale on Monday despite the dodgy weather, and had a good long browse around. My bedside reading pile is growing. All for under 50p. Roll on next weekend.

My collection of paperbacks is growing too. Since reading Kim's post about Virago books, I look out for them at boot sales...the distinctive apple on more recent publications is easly spotted, but haven't found many of the older ones yet...I will do I'm sure. Most things usually turn up at boot sales. Lousy picture, so I hope you can see my new mirror. £10 which is more than I usually spend on one item. This is my next project, a coat of cream paint should transform it. I'm thinking it might go on my bathroom wall. Have a good week y'all.

Booty

2009-04-06T08:17:00.015+01:00

Oooh it was good to get out again yesterday to the first car boot sale of the year...familiar faces that I see every week, snippets of conversations overheard..." nice to come out again, I haven't been out since last September", "it's like we've all been hibernating and have woken up now it's Spring".

I picked up some goodies of course.

I bought the plastic lemon juicer for 20p then spotted the vintage china one on another stall, 50p. Around the rim in very faint writing "Present from Brighton". One of my favourite cities :)

Glasses 50p the two. Flower bowl £1. Plates £1.

Packets of seeds 50p each.

Books 20p each

Sylvac bowl £5 (more than I usually spend at a boot sale but looks lovely on my coffee table)

Desk lamp £1

Brand new yoghurt maker £2 (I'd been thinking about getting one of these since becoming a Money Saving Expert convert!)

I spent a lot of time browsing, 3 hours! Once home the Big Paint continued. Cupboards emptied out on Saturday and put in place to check the plan would work...think it will....

Doors off.....

Sanding down.....Undercoated......took ages.....In amongst the chaos the girl, still in dressing gown, playing the piano beautifully..she's a natural, paino lessons might be on the cards.

Spring forward....

2009-04-01T00:46:00.011+01:00

Ooh lovely, Spring has sprung, I'm feeling more bloggy again if there is such a term....like lots of you I've been lying low through the winter, working all week, doing home type stuff at weekends, and not really in the mood to blog. I couldn't think of much to say about my ordinary life. But I've missed writing and feel I've lost touch with a nice friend. It's good to catch up with you and thanks for still being there.

I've been spending a lot of time over at the Money Saving Expert site in recent weeks....what a great place, especially the Old Style forum which is packed full of good advice for running a home and saving money too. I'm hooked and it's making me think much more about how I cook and shop and generally live my life. Have invested in a new slow cooker which has yet to be christened. I've even used my £10 car boot sale breadmaker a few times. Using up leftovers, buying only the basics and not wasting money on food that doesn't get eaten. Pop over and have a browse, be warned it's addictive.

Even better I came across this nice group of people so I've spent time there too, what a fab forum. I'm really inspired to do some projects around the house and have a few ideas in mind for the Easter holidays (finished work today for 2 weeks, yay).

I dream of owning something like this cupboard (see it there, in the background of this gorgeous room? Loving the mirror too) but as it's gonna be waaay beyond my pocket I've been looking for a similar cupboard on the cheap. Or free. Lightbulb moment.....clever DH pointed out that this cupboard in my bedroom, stood on top of this one in my living room, painted with Farrow & Ball (which is beautiful paint and worth spending a bit more on), might make a nice cabinet. Watch this space, it's first on my list of things to do.

Talking of free things we are now the proud owners of a piano. It was about to be put on Freecycle by a friend of a friend, I heard of it first and was very pleased to give it a good home. It takes pride of place in my kitchen/diner and we're playing tunes very badly. Hmmm think I need to get a smaller dining table ........although it's growing on me, having a table in the middle of the kitchen, but you do have to shuffle around a bit and we have to Give Way to each other when more than one person is in the kitchen so not very practical. I think this one is destined for Ebay.

Have a good week. BTW I like this image which Domesticali discovered.

Last time I looked it was Summertime.......

2009-01-17T09:30:00.015Z

Gosh, I really didn't intend to vanish.......I started a new job at the end of August and suddenly it's January. Blogging had to take a back seat, but I wasn't expecting to be away for quite so long. I've kept up with my favourite blogs of course, but haven't had the time to leave comments as often as I'd like. I felt like I was standing on the edge of the playground watching everyone else have fun :). And the longer I've been away the harder it is to jump back in. Isn't it disappointing when blogs just disappear, leaving you wondering if the writer is ok...should you drop them an email to say hello, or have they just had enough? I just needed to step back for a while. It seems to be quite a common theme amongst bloggers I've noticed. We love blogging but it keeps us from doing other things with our precious spare time. It's all a matter of balance I guess.
I had some words of encouragement from a few nice people, like this lady, and this one, and this one pointed out that it's still August here at Lucy Locket. So I gave myself a stern talking to, "come on Gillian, get your act together", and here I am. If anyone's still out there, I want to come and play again please!

Where to start....maybe a few snippets from the past months. I'm loving my job, especially when we catered for a wedding with a vintage theme.......right up our street was what I thought, with mis-matched vintage china galore. For the whole day I kept thinking to myself that my blog ladies would just adore this. 16 year old daughter has already decided this is want she wants for her wedding someday so I know what I'll be looking out for at the boot sales! It'll take a long time to collect 100 place settings (she informs me she's planning a large wedding).

Not a lot of creativity has gone on but I'm finding my mojo again I think...I picked up this pine noticeboard at one of the last bootsales I went to last year. The plan was to put it in the kitchen, handy hooks to hang keys on, useful whiteboard for shopping lists, pinboard for important notes and reminders. A coat of F&B paint, vintage fabric to cover the corkboard, it looks fab now...so fab it's taken up residence in daughter's bedroom. We decided it should have push pins with bling, but couldn't buy what we wanted anywhere...until I spotted these stick on trims in Hobbycraft, perfect! Just stick them onto standard drawing pins and tada! Sparkly pretty pins.

Christmas and New Year were lovely, good food, relaxing, catching up with family. We had a bit of a Nigella thing going after treating myself to her book when it was reduced to £8 in Waterstones. I'd resisted up 'til then, I didn't think it had much to offer but how wrong I was.There are some delicious recipes, we tried a couple of her cocktails, the favourite being Yule Mule. My Mum and I got into a cosy little habit of making up a jug of it each day.....The Home cured pork is just wonderful as is the Apple & onion gravy to accompany it....it went down a treat with family who came down for Sunday lunch. Her chilli jam is simple to make and we were having it with everything for a while. Definitely a favourite cookbook for me.

Any way I've rabbited on for long enough, thanks for hanging in there and for taking the time to visit. I'll be back soon. Enjoy the weekend.

Summertime...and the living is easy

2008-08-08T09:44:00.021+01:00

It's all a bit slow around here, but I'm not complaining...oh no, I'm enjoying the luxury of getting up and not having to rush around getting things done before work. There are all sorts of things I could be getting on with, but really, can I be bothered?? I find I get more done when I'm working, give me a few weeks off and I vegetate.

We're having a Staycation this year, what with the credit crunch, the car needing some repairs, and most importantly Father in Law in hospital meaing we need to be around for ferrying MIL back and forth for visiting. Once I got over the initial fed-upness of not going away, actually I'm quite liking being at home.

Having time to get on with my Granny square blanket that I started at least a year ago, and it grew even quicker over cups of tea and Victoria sandwich cake shared with good friends one summer evening. You know how you begin a project and wish you'd picked a different colour? I love Lucy's choice of colours for her ripple blanket. But I've started so I'll finish. And it looks ok, really. Even better when I crochet some edging (once I've learnt how to) I'll grow to love my blanket especially snuggled beneath it on the sofa come the chilly evenings.

We've been watching DVDs that I've been picking up for a pound or two at boot sales or on Ebay...........all recommended on various blogs, everytime I read about one I like the sound of I keep an eye open for it, and usually find what I want eventually. Cheap entertainment, best enjoyed with a glass of wine.....and no rustling bags of sweets or people coughing/sniffing/snogging/talking too loud (well I discourage my lot from doing any of the above when Mother's watching a good film)

Painting old junk filled a couple of days..... remember this? Looks much better in white so thanks for your comments when I asked :) Filling space on the landing...mirror £2 from a boot sale, lamp £1, cupboard free from a friend (it was destined for the dump). Ignore the horrible artex on the wall, my newly qualified plasterer son owes me a new wall someday.....

Stool £1 from the boot sale...beautifully covered in wood effect sticky backed plastic.We painstakingly picked it off making our fingers bleed in the process, cleaned it up, and I think we'll leave it as it is, shabby and chippy. We like it but I can see why some people might wonder why we've forgotten to put away the tatty old decorating stool. We've sort of got used to it now so the red paint stays.

Daughter Lucy is enjoying hangin' out with her friends so has no desire to go anywhere that takes her away from them. She celebrated her 16th Birthday this week, gosh where do the years go? 16 is such an exciting age, lots of changes on the horizon. Lucy's starting college in September, a photography course, she's so looking forward to college life. Son Jack has been accepted on the 3rd year of his plastering course thank goodness, places are limited so we've had a nail-biting wait for confirmation. He really wanted to get this third year under his belt, it'll open more doors for him in the future. Now we can sit back and relax for a week or two then back to the grind for all of us.

Ooh, Husband took care of some chickens for 2 weeks...we had chicken love going on, big time. Hubby arriving home with 3 fresh eggs every day, I really miss them now their Dad is back from his hols. We'll chicken-sit any day.

Husband and I have taken a couple of long walks............I've cooked and baked and spent time on the PC and given the kitchen a blooming good clean but other than that we're pottering. I love pottering. Hope you all manage to do some pottering before summer's out.

Mamma Mia

2008-07-18T09:02:00.002+01:00

Where did the last 4 weeks go?? Sorry for the rather large gap between posts, hopefully regular service can now be resumed as I'm off work for a few weeks.
Just a short post for now, I urge you to see Mamma Mia the movie, if you haven't already, grab your Mother/daughter/girlfriend/tolerant bloke and go along for an uplifting couple of hours....just wonderful and one of the few movies I've seen that I immediately wanted to see again. The scenery is stunning, it made me laugh/cry/drool!

Be back soon!

What's your preference?

2008-06-21T08:04:00.011+01:00

I was interested to read Manda's post over at Tree Fall this morning, she asked what we all enjoy in a blog, and our likes and dislikes There were some useful comments, go check them out if you're interested too. As a result I've removed the music player from my blog! They're a pet hate I read, hmmm.....

It's good to hear what attracts people to your blog, most of us write about our everyday lives and we like reading about other people's everyday lives so it's a win win arrangement seems to me.

What I loved about blogging last week were the film recommendations, thanks for everyone who left a comment to my previous post. I've been busy on Ebay since buying a few DVDs for bargain prices. In these days of tightening our belts it's a cheap form of entertainment and I'm looking forward to some Movie nights once work has quietened down in a few weeks.

Another thing I love about blogging is finding inspiration for decorating my home, I'm no interior designer trust me but I do feel I've found my sense of style since discovering blogs and am gradually re-decorating the house in a much more Laura Ashley/Vintage sort of style ( in spite of living in a 1960s small house but hey, that won't stop me). When I spot something I like online or in a magazine I do become a bit obsessed and make it my mission to find something like it but on a budget. My current obsession is for Anglepoise lamps, I became aware of them a year or so ago and thought they looked quite cool. I see from browsing on Ebay that Herbert Terry lamps are THE sought after ones, I doubt that I'll be lucky enough to stumble across one of those at the boot sale.... ...but this'll do for me. Not bad for £2 do you think? It beckoned me from across the aisle, it was one of those moments when I nonchalantly strolled across hoping the bloke already at the stall wasn't going to reach out and pick it up just as I got there...success..."how much for the lamp?"..."oh give us a couple of quid love". One happy bunny I am. It's an original Anglepoise lamp. Don't you just love it when things come your way?

Saturday night at the movies

2008-06-07T20:44:00.007+01:00

Well it's Saturday night, the curry's been eaten, the old man's watching the footie, what better time to catch up with blogland...you won't catch me down the pub , oooh no I haven't done that for years, nothing I like better than a night in, a nice meal and a good movie. I even think twice about going to the cinema these days, it's so expensive and you can bet I'll be next to the bloke chomping on popcorn or the teenagers being very annoying :)

I do get a bit out of touch with current movies though and by the time they come out on DVD I've forgotten which ones I wanted to see especially the lesser known ones. So I always enjoy it when I see a film recommended , and I've bought several films recently that were mentioned by bloggers. I enjoy Jennie's blogs as she always finds something interesting to write about. She often recommends films and I like her recent post about her top 5 melancholy films...I've only watched one of them but I'll be looking out for the others, they sound like my kind of films. Her post got me thinking about my own favourite films. I usually don't watch a film more than once, it has to be pretty special...so here's a list of a few of my "Films worth watching more than once"

Like Jennie, Frankie and Johnny is right near the top of the list. It's a poignant movie that makes you care about the characters and any film with Al Pacino in is ok by me. Michelle Pfeiffer (Frankie) is a down-trodden waitress who isn't looking for romance when Al Pacino's Johnny comes into her life. The movie is the story of how he breaks down her barriers and they fall in love. Fab movie.

I've mentioned Moulin Rouge more than once. I regret not seeing the movie at the cinema when it first came out as it must be amazing to watch on the big screen...it just didn't grab me, not my type of film at all I thought. Then I picked up a video at the boot sale and was hooked. It's a fantasy film, fantastic scenes, wonderful songs. I discovered Ewan McGregor in this film, hadn't really taken much notice of him before then. I watched the film over and over again when I first got it, and must be due another showing any time soon....just look at Ewan, wouldn't you like him to sing to you?!

I watch my copy of Sense and Sensibility every now and then, a beautiful movie and the gentle humour is delightful. Alan Rickman ( Colonel Branden) is so dashing, imagine having a suitor like him yearning for you( I am a bit soppy sometimes) It's a heartbreaking yet uplifting movie.

I adore The Bodyguard, it's Kevin you see, I could watch him in anything. I love a romance, can you see a theme emerging here? A bit of a girlie movie but entertaining anyway and I watch it every now and then

A movie I saw at the cinema (twice) and bought on DVD was Walk the Line, Reece Whitherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix played great parts and really captured the spirit of the era. Like many biopic films I believe the truth about Cash's life may have been stretched but even so it introduced a new generation to the music of Johnny Cash who may not have been interested before this. The music is so infectious even for someone not into Johnny Cash. I loved this movie.
I'd love to hear what your favourite movies are, care to tell?

Pause...play....rewind

2008-05-26T21:41:00.017+01:00

Hello out there! Ooops, I'm sorry for the little blogging pause, I really didn't intend to be away for so long, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. Work has been pretty intense these past few weeks and I've had no computer time really other than a bit of Ebay and reading my favourite blogs. I've done some nice things ; the boot sales are in full swing now, we were lucky enough to have fine weather over the May Day Bank holiday weekend (unlike last weekend!) and I've never seen so many sellers or buyers...almost too many sellers if there can ever be such a thing.

Trouble is when you leave such a gap between posts, where to start?? I feel like I have nothing to tell yet lots to show.Here're some images from the last month just to demonstrate I do have a life outside of work even though it doesn't always feel like it!

We visited our local Bluebell woods...just beautiful.

An unexpected wander around Oxford...DH bought an old car on Ebay for a run-around to and from work, and as we had to collect it from just outside of Oxford we took the opportunity to explore for a while...what an interesting city and somewhere we want to return to sometime.

A spur of the moment break to Cornwall to visit my Mum. Torrential rain cut the holiday short but we managed a few trips out in between. Lovely Looe. Porth beach.

No Cornish boot sales due to the weather, hmmph, but I've picked up a few bargains nearer home recently. I seem to have started a collection of cream coloured jugs, none more than £1...and glass jars...cheap as chips but look fab all over the house storing dishwasher tablets, paracetamols, loose change, whatever takes your fancy. And do you like my Phrenology head? Isn't he fab...£2, hidden in a box at the boot sale. And I knew I'd find one eventually, a new food processer, still boxed, £3.

Oh and I actually read a book from cover to cover, haven't done that for many years. Kim has good taste in books and recently posted about Persephone books. I read this one and can highly recommend it, I didn't want to put it down. Now I only want to order every other book in the catalogue. But I really should work through the unread books on my bookshelf first :)

Hope to be back soon, thanks for hanging in there!

Back in the saddle again

2008-04-19T16:51:00.010+01:00

Oh isn't it great to be back out there, browsing the boot sales on a Sunday morning, that anticipation at finding a little bargain. I've noticed one or two other bloggers share my excitement, it's good to know I'm not alone in finding it thrilling being in a field at 6.45am on a Sunday morning :)

I noticed a number of ladies pulling shopping trollies at the boot sales I visited last Sunday, not as nice as Jane's though, now that's a proper shopping trolley! I might have to treat myself one of these days as I do get weighed down by bags and sometimes it's so far to walk back to the car . My daughter would disown me if I produced something like this .......but how about this gorgeous girl?

Anyway in spite of having to manage with my canvas bags, I don't let that stop me, I've developed a knack of sitting on the bags while I'm sorting through boxes or bags on the floor, they make a good cushion and save the old knees from creaking too much. I found some nice stuff. Some clothes (I can't believe what people throw out, I bought a huge bag of good quality clothes from a lady, in my size, asked her for a price expecting to pay around a tenner and was amazed when she asked for £3 the lot.... )

This picture frame, £2...I've been looking for a frame, for my Keep calm and carry on poster, I just manage to squeeze it in. I'm undecided whether to leave the frame gold or paint it white like this or even black...what do you think?

Bargain of the day has to be the clock, £2.

You know what it's like at boot sales, it's all about being in the right place at the right time. The seller had just taken the clock out of her boot along with a vintage style bathroom cabinet, a bit Laura Ashley, a lady next to me spotted it at the same time as I did, she got her hands on it first and stood thinking about it for a few minutes while I nonchalantly clutched the clock and browsed the stall, hoping she'd walk away and I could pounce. It was torture to hear her ask, "how much " and the seller reply " I wanted £15" and the buyer to say, "would you take £12?", and the deal was done in front of my eyes. Grrr, don't you just hate it when that happens. It would have been perfect for my bathroom but hey-ho, one day I'll find another.

I felt better once I'd bought a few more bits and pieces, these nesting dolls were 50p, a couple are missing but they still look cute lined up.

A vintage wire basket, £1...just for show on my hanging rail. Would be perfect for collecting eggs if we had hens :)

Cards 'r' us

2008-04-05T11:45:00.014+01:00

I read today that here in the UK we have the highest spend per capita on greetings cards, sending an average of 55 cards a year. Wow, that's a lot of cards. I try and avoid buying mass-produced cards in shops, because

a. Having expensive tastes (but not having the budget to match!) I only seem to like the really nice ones that cost £3.99

b. due to my thrifty nature I can't bear spending money on something that will be thrown away within a week

c. I know that I could make a card myself in no time that will cost pennies

d.I've always,without exception, found that people love receiving hand-made cards.

When I receive cards it's the hand-made ones that I get the most pleasure from. It's knowing that someone spent time producing such a pretty thing, and knowing that the sender put a bit of thought into the card they chose for me. Let's face it the selection of cards in supermarkets are pretty dull at times, and although it's easy to grab one as you do your weekly shop, how much nicer to make one yourself. Many years ago when my children were small I used to make hundreds of cards, and sold them at Mother and toddler groups and school fairs. It was a way to earn some "pin" money. I stopped once I was back at work and I'd got a bit bored with the production line! I have a renewed interest in making cards now, inspired by the many blogs that I read, and wanting to have a supply of cards to hand (oh, the times I've needed a card in a hurry and had to buy a nasty boring card fom the local shop) I had a little session last week using my new X-Cut guillotine, the supplies I bought at the Stitch & Craft fair and some pictures and images cut from magazines and vintage books. Take a look, maybe I can inspire you. I haven't done much on the creative front recently, so it was fun to take a few hours out on a cold Sunday afternoon and have something to show at the end.

And I've finally found a use for my vintage lunch box :) Perfect for storing my card collection.

"This is".....

2008-03-31T09:25:00.003+01:00

I'm going to play "This is", started by Angela at Three Buttons, it's a fun way to get me posting more often without too much effort.

The theme this week is "This is"...the contents of my handbag

Ta-da!

I like a large bag, I like to have all my essentials to hand. My friend Frances treated me to this one, after I admired her bag that her Mum bought from Bid TV. It's a Winter bag really so I may treat myself to a more Spring-like bag, but I never spend a lot on handbags and only have one on the go until it's worn out. How do women cope with changing their bags all the time, what a palaver swapping the contents every time!

In my bag I have:

Primark Leopard print purse
Diary (very boring, I receive a free one every year from a company we use at work)
Notebook to write down important information (shopping list, Christmas list, measurements of my windows.......)
Chequebook (endangered species)
Farrow & Ball colour chart
Menu from Cassio College training restaurant (one day I'll go there!)
Merry Christmas tissues
Personalised name and address stickers for posting Ebay parcels
My very own business card (I can't believe I've got one, I was handed them last year at work)
Bunch of keys
Paloma Picasso perfume
Hand-cream/handwash liquid/body spray/vaseline/lippy
Gloves
Tic-tacs
My Bulgari glasses (need them for driving/tv), I splashed out a couple of years ago. I don't buy new ones very often, they last me for years and years so I felt justified in going "designer" for once instead of Specsavers.
My camera case made by Hilda May (no camera in it obviously, I was taking the picture at the time but it usually holds my Canon Powershot A620)

See who else is playing and join in if you fancy it.

Stitching and crafting Friday

2008-03-29T22:00:00.015Z

I had a lovely day out on Friday with cousin Julie and friend Brenda to the Stitch & Craft 2008 show in Olympia, London. It's the first time I've been to a show like this, my main passion was dollshouses for the last 10 years or so and I visited plenty of Miniatures fairs. But now I want to broaden my horizons, take up old hobbies again such as card-making, knitting and crochet. It's an eye-opener to see just how many other (mostly) women love crafts too judging by the crowds flocking to the show. The Vitality show was taking place at the same time next door, and it was easy to identify which people were going to which show!

The ground floor was filled with stalls selling Cross Stitch kits and pictures which isn't my bag really. I've enjoyed embroidery in the past but prefer free-style, I love French knot and ribbon embroidery and it's definitely a hobby I want to take up in the future. I gave those stands a miss and we moved onto the Scrapbooking workshop which we'd booked. We really enjoyed it, for the price of £6 we received a goodie bag and were shown how to create a scrapbook page. Again, not my thing (and not my colours...) but I learnt some techniques that I can use in card-making and best of all we came away feeling very inspired.

The first floor was much more exciting, I could have spent a fortune! Full of card-making goodies/tools/equipment. Scrapbooking is a fast growing hobby in the UK and the range of supplies is incredible. The trouble with me is when I want to try a new craft, I want. Everything. Now. I gave myself a stern talking to, I just don't have time to get into a whole new hobby so refrained from buying scrapbook album/pages/fancy-papers/embellishments etc etc etc. I'm also keen to use re-cycled/vintage materials, rather than buy new, maybe start an altered book someday.

Needleless to say I couldn't resist treating myself to a few goodies. An X-cut guillotine, and some punches for card-making, bundle of cardstock, pretty craft paper (Laura Ashley now make crafting supplies)

Some wool to knit socks and wool to knit a scarf. Just got to find some time to do all these things!

Up the downs....

2008-03-27T20:27:00.016Z

I've a soft spot for the county of Sussex, having spent many happy summers there as a child; my great Aunt lived nearby in Dorking, Surrey, and when I stayed with her we'd always visit my Grandmother (Nanny Townsend) who lived in Hassocks, Sussex. My Great Uncle Mark would announce we were going "up the downs" when we set off, referring to the South Downs which are an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The lovely Kim is lucky enough to live in the area and has often shared some wonderful pictures of her family walks "up the downs". On Easter Monday, wanting to see the sea, we took a slow drive down to Brighton for the day. The plan was to take the pretty route and stop off at Lewes en route, a place I've read about but never visited. Probably not the best plan, given we experienced the worst Easter weather for years... we approached Lewes in the middle of a hurricane and, not being dressed for the occasion, we had a whistle stop car drive through the town and continued on to Brighton. (I think the exact conversation was "you're not getting me out in that" and Husband replying "don't be such a wuss, we've got an umbrella"). Trouble was, it was a small child's umbrella, white with red ladybirds and a frill around the edge. The three of us weren't going to keep very dry beneath that. We weren't well prepared at all. We'll return to Lewes one fine day.

By then we were starving and looking forward to some lunch, along with several million other people it seemed. Brighton is a city of contrasts, and the approach isn't the most attractive I have to say. Husband has never been to Brighton and initially wasn't impressed. But wow, those fabulous properties on the seafront soon turned his head. The architecture is amazing. We had a lovely day. I'd told daughter it wasn't a shopping trip, but how could we resist when we came across Cath's little empire?! I just had to treat daughter to a CK bag, she was one happy bunny this Easter I can tell you. We did a little more shopping, wandering through the Lanes, people watching, dodging the rain, before a stroll along the seafront and pier.Stopping for some photo opportunities of course.

Wearily making our way back to the car, we had a slight delay in leaving as a certain person had left the lights on (and it wasn't me)...hmmmm... Consequently we had to call out the AA (first time ever, but what a relief to have the yellow van come to our rescue). We took the direct, motorway route home which seemed to take no time at all, and finished off the day with a Chinese takeaway. We ♥ Sussex. Next time we'll spend a little longer and explore more of this beautiful county.

Woman & Home

2008-03-22T13:05:00.006Z

Like a lot of you I'm enjoying a few days at home over the Easter weekend. I'm very excited that my local car boot sale is starting up again tomorrow and weather permitting I'll be there at 7am eagerly searching out bargains. And maybe we'll venture out on Monday for some fresh air between the showers.This morning I had a baking session, my lot love my banana cake but as I've been making two a week since before Christmas now we need to broaden our horizons!

I've been watching Delia with interest, I see there's been a lot of criticism of her new book I believe there's room for different types of cookery and the reality is many people don't have time to cook from scratch every day. There are days when I've got home from work at 8pm and my 15 year old has sorted herself out something to eat and it's a relief to know I don't need to start cooking. I have to confess she adores Pot Noodles (BAD MUMMY) and considers this a fab meal. I know, I know.......but I balance this with a nutritional meal the following day and we muddle through.

I have dozens of cookbooks but I probably only use a few recipes out of each...it's the same with Delia's, my daughter gave me the book for my Birthday last week and I've ear-marked a few recipes to try. But many of them I'll give a miss, you'll never like all the recipes in one book. If it encourages people to produce tasty meals when time is short, that can only be good. Today I'm making her chocolate cake ( I'll give you my opinion tomorrow but as a woman who likes to lick the bowl, be warned, don't try it! Not a nice cake mixture so I'm curious to see how it turns out). Also some Raspberry cheesecake muffins from another cookbook I picked up recently.

I'm off to make Delia's Chilli Con Carne for dinner tonight now, we're having a bit of a Delia love in this weekend. And doing a bit of crafting, more in another post.Happy Easter to you all, have a relaxing time.

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.

2008-03-07T10:52:00.004Z

S'not fair, it's all work work for me right now, I want to come out and play. Just one more week and I'll have some time off. You know the old saying, "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy", well that's how I feel, I need to do something fun. So, tonight, I'm off to see this show with my friend Brenda. I'm a fan of Take That, and to see them make such a successful comeback has been great. They're older and wiser and seem to be having such fun. Can't wait.
I've sneaked a day off today, having done a lot of overtime recently. I should be doing my two weeks worth of ironing, or tackling the housework which hasn't been done for two weeks either. Sigh. But I'm taking time out first to catch up with my blog buddies. And I thought I'd share this with you. My friend Mandy sent me a "getting to know you" list of questions which she'd completed. I learnt lots of things about her I didn't know. I filled in my own answers and returned it to her, so she knows me a bit better. And I've forwarded it to other friends too. Why not post these 63 questions on your own blog? I'd enjoy getting to know you better too.

Getting to know you -63 things you might not know about me

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6.30am alarm, straight up, bath/wash hair/dress/dry hair/make-up/put load of washing in/empty dishwasher/walk to shop for newspaper/sit down for 20 mins with cup of tea and said newspaper/wake up daughter/make packed lunch/leave 8.20am for school/work

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, I'd really really like some. I
have some cultured pearls but on me they look too Mrs Bouquet, you
need to be slightly more funky looking to get away with them.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Elizabeth. Should go
more often. Note to self: arrange cinema trips with friends.

4. What is your favourite TV show? Any cookery/food programmes, esp
Jamie and Nigella. Grand designs. Documentaries. Can't stand
crime/police dramas.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cup of tea. I eat food all
day long at work, not good for my waistline.

6. Favourite cuisine? I live to eat. I adore food of all kinds...love
cooking when I have time but even better if someone else cooks it.

7. What is your middle name? Claire.

8. What food do you dislike? Jam tarts. Chocolate coated cereals.
Tinned soup. Most processed tinned foods (can't beat fresh). Tinned
tuna. Wagon Wheels. Wine gums.

9. What is your favourite CD at the moment? Amy Winehouse.

10.What kind of car do you drive? A Citroen C3, cheap to
run/insure/tax although not the most comfortable of cars.

11. Favourite sandwich? Prawn mayo with rocket.

12. What characteristic/s do you despise? Stupidity. Ignorance.
Negativity. Moaning in general. Wusses who take to their sick bed all
too easily. People who have no respect for other people. Selfish
people.Rude people. Bad manners.

13. Favourite item of clothing? Jeans, can't live without them (but
don't know what else to wear, I'm at that funny age)

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would
you go? So many places, I've not travelled much at all. On my list
are Paris, Venice, other parts of France, Italy, parts of USA,
Canada, New Zealand.

16. Favourite brand of clothing? Brands don't interest me, more a
case of finding shops who cater for size 18! M&S, H&M, Peacocks,
Asda, New Look. If I could afford it I'd shop in John
Lewis/Debenhams/Monsoon for better quality and fit.

17. Where would you retire to? Somewhere in England, small market
town not too far from the coast. Favourite areas are
Sussex/Suffolk/Dorset/Devon.

18. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My 40th when I
re-married my Husband and got my first ever brand new car.

19. Favourite sport to watch? Not very interested, sometimes I'll
watch rugby just for the eye candy. Or to keep Husband company if
there's a big match on.

20. Furthest place you are sending this?
Depends who reads it on my blog.

21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? I always expect
the best of people!

22. Person you expect to send it back first? Angie (my blog twin)

23. Favourite saying: "onwards and upwards"

24. When is your birthday? 10th March

25. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night - don't like
talking much in the morning. I stay up too late most evenings.

26. What is your shoe size? 7

27. Pets? 2 cats, Molly and Alice.

28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I'm in line for
promotion at work.

29. What did you want to be when you were little? A nurse. Not sure why, I don't deal with injuries very well.

30. How are you today? Not all that. I'm normally quite healthy but
have been feeling crap for a week now. My mouth is full of ulcers, my
glands are up, I'm a bit shivery. Well you did ask.

31. What is your favourite candy? Chocolate. Has to be Cadbury’s

32. What is your favourite flower? Freesias. Peonies. Geraniums.

34. What are you listening to right now? The radio is on, LBC, Nick
Ferrari who should be Prime Minister, he tells it like it is.

37. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? Blue, the colour
of water, and my eyes.

38. How is the weather right now? Dry and bright but rain forecast
for later. Bit chilly.

39. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My daughter texted me to
say she got a C in Science GCSEs.

40. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I love her. We
don't see enough of each other because we're both so busy but I hope
we'll be friends for life. And I want to visit her in Holland when
we're old and grey.

42. Favourite restaurant? Chinese buffets, love eating all I like.
And Indian restaurants, although they can be overpriced.

43. Hair colour? Real colour mousey. Current colour copper lowlights
with a touch of blonde. Might have more blonde put in next time.

44. Siblings? Two brothers, older Robert and younger Philip.

45. Favourite day of the year? Last day of term when I'm due for some
time off.
46. What was your favourite toy as a child? My big teddy bear who I
took to bed to keep the draughts out until I was 16. My doll Janet,
who for some reason I put in the oven to keep warm and she melted all
over the shelves. I remember it vividly, what my Mum thought I have
no idea! Sindy dolls. Tiny Tears.

47. Summer or winter? Winter, can't stand the heat and haven't got a
garden to sit in and enjoy it anyway.

48. Hugs or kisses? More of both please.

49. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

50. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes please chaps.

51. When was the last time you cried? I can't remember. Probably
watching some sad tv programme.

52. What is under your bed? Dust balls. Couple of suitcases. Box of
clothes to sell on Ebay.

54. What did you do last night? Got home from work at 8.30pm, put a
load in the washing machine, wiped down the kitchen worktops, changed
into jimjams, got on the sofa and dozed until 11.30pm, off to bed.

55. Favourite smells? Baking bread. Scented flowers. Lemons and
limes. The seaside. Summer in the country.

56. What are you afraid of? Losing control of my life. Being seriously ill.
Speaking in front of lots of people. Being out of my depth.
Confrontation with difficult people. My children facing
difficulties and not being able to help them.

57. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Buttered.

58. How many keys on your key ring? 12. Mixture of home and work
keys.

59. How many years at your current job? 14 years.

60. Favourite day of the week? Saturday. I like to spend the day at
home, catching up with all things domestic, cook a nice meal for
dinner. Hate it if I have to go out or work. And still got Sunday to
look forward too.

61. How many suburbs have you lived in? Not sure about this question
....born and bred in Hemel Hempstead, lived in five areas of
the town.

62. Do you make friends easily? Sometimes. Depends on the person. I'm
a slow burner, a bit deep at times and don't have a large circle of
friends (wouldn't want too many). Never wanted to be in with the “in” crowd”.

63. How many people will you be sending this to? Dunno yet.

You'll always find me in the kitchen........

2008-02-16T09:52:00.012Z

I've been lucky enough to have the last week off from work,and determined not to waste the precious time DH and I spent a few days giving the kitchen a Spring makeover. Now I may have mentioned before that in my dreams I live in a period property with original features worthy of a four page spread in Country Living. The reality is that we have a small three bedroomed semi built in the 60s, not my dream house at all. But I firmly believe that old motto "Home is where the Heart is" and anyone can make the most modest of homes into a little haven or sanctuary from the outside world. We had our kitchen fitted about 4 years ago, when I'd decided that as I live in a modern home I should decorate it in a modern style rather than try to make it look like something it isn't. So we embraced the modern look even though at heart I'm a vintage, traditional sort of girl. BUT since discovering blogs a short year ago, I've been inspired by the lovely homes I've seen, and I realise that I can incorporate a little bit of vintage style into my home, and it's ok. And I started to look at my kitchen in a different light....WHY did I choose those tiles in those colours? And how to break the news to DH?

It seems like only yesterday that my long suffering DH spent days tiling the kitchen with mosaic tiles that I'd spent many shopping hours looking at and ruminating over.....and now here he was this week tiling over them in plain, simple cream tiles, which I'm delighted with. Cream and white is good. And I'm discovering that there's cream and there's cream..... and there's white and there's white....pick one shade of cream and the kitchen looks dull...but pick a different shade of cream and it looks fresh and bright. Use one shade of white and it looks cheap and cold. Choose a vintage shade of white and it looks, well, vintage.

And, there's paint and there's paint....always wanting value for money, I told myself that Wilkinson's own brand paint has to be just as good as Farrow & Ball....they both do the same job don't they? How wrong I was. I splashed out on a tin of F&B Old White and it's transformed my bookcase...and my cupboard door...and my coffee table....I'm eyeing up other pieces of furniture around the house to give the F&B treatment to. Two coats of emulsion and two of quick drying matt varnish and job done. In one day. I like quick results.

Whenever I watch Nigella, or Jamie, or Delia, or Gordon, on tv, I check out what equipment they're using in the kitchen. I love kitchen equipment and have long wanted a hanging saucepan rack in my kitchen once we'd decorated. Being on a tight budget, I improvised a bit and it worked well. Ikea's Grundtal hanging rail (£6.49) fixed to the ceiling, a few S-hooks (your local friendly butcher might let you have some if you chat him up) and away you go......and just to show the reality of living in a small house with a family, and because I'm sometimes guilty of only sharing what I want people to see, here's the other side of the kitchen. That ever growing pile of coats and shoes, where to put them?! A moment of light relief came when we realised we couldn't get the fridge out of it's corner in order to paint the walls behind (we had it delivered and installed before the kitchen was fitted, if ever we do move we'll have to remove skirting boards and probably take the fridge doors off, yikes). This is when you realise it's an advantage to have a lean and agile husband who somehow manoeuvered himself over the top of the fridge and onto the step ladder which I'd squeezed through the gap and he'd had to lay down on top of the fridge and open up before he could ease himself down onto. After valiantly hoovering up the dustballs and apparantly mouse droppings, he gave the walls a quick lick of paint and the floor a wash and then the whole procedure was reversed in order to reach safety. Told you he's long suffering. And not a swear word was uttered. Can't you tell I'm a true blogger now though? He had to pause mid-task while I took pics to record this strange everyday happening...hmmmm

So I'm going back to work on Monday with a warm feeling...it would have been easy last Monday to say "sod it, let's just have a lazy week"...I'm so glad I made myself get up and get moving. Hope your week was as satisfying.

Burn baby Burn

2008-02-04T21:41:00.000Z

I've noticed some of my fellow bloggers are still feeling a bit bleh, a bit can't be bothered, thank goodness Spring is on the way in the UK and I can see a wealth of posts coming on even now with pictures of our beautiful country waking up again. I often wonder though, when I read how busy people like this lady have been, or this nice person, what their working day is like...none of us wants to bore everyone with details do we, but isn't it interesting to hear what another person's job is like? I thought I'd share a little snippet of my worklife over the past couple of weeks. Being Burns Night and all, and working in a busy catering department, I've had the pleasure of organising the catering for two Burns Night suppers , one Saturday after another. Both functions were for around 100 people and we have a well-practised formula for ensuring everything runs smoothly. We've been doing them for 5 years so we pretty much know what we're doing by now. Here's an Upstairs Downstairs glimpse of an enjoyable evening made even more fun with the sight of lots of men in kilts. Unfortunately this one was busy that night..... The tables are laid.The guests take their seats.

Behind the scenes the tension builds. You can feel it in the air in the kitchen and it doesn't pass until the main meal is served without any hitches.

The haggis is piped in and tots of whiskey are knocked back. Dinner is served. After that the relief is palpable. We can't go far wrong with dessert, the chefs leave for home with another successful "shout" behind them. Coffee is served and we leave the guests to it for a while, listening to Burns' poetry and relaxing before the dancing begins. It's time for the catering team to take half an hour out, squeeze into a tightly packed staffroom and enjoy a meal of haggis, followed by roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, finished off with "Raspberry cream of the Highlands" dessert. Tastes as good as it sounds, truly. Fortified, it's all hands to the deck clearing up, putting everything back where it belongs. Somehow, you find the energy to keep going until all the guests have left, working with the team, having a laugh along the way. Wearily we go home after 1am, to sip a nice quiet cup of tea in front of the tv, catching up with Jonathan Ross or Escape to the Country yet again. And as your head starts to drop, off to bed for a well-earned sleep and a very long lie-in.

I might have something creative to show you next time, or some nice photos of some place we've visited over half-term week...in the meantime I'll have to be content to admire everyone else's handiwork. Have a good week whether working or not.

Scrapbooks: the perfect antidote for Miserable Monday

2008-01-21T21:13:00.000Z

My goodness, I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I last posted; I was convinced it was only a week or so, where has January gone?! It's a strange month, January, it's all a bit of an effort and if I didn't have to get up and go to work, and take care of my family, I'd probably go into hibernation for a few weeks until the days are brighter. But, I'm not miserable I'm pleased to say, contrary to reports in the press today which inform us that today is Miserable Monday. Apparantly today contains the perfect formula for misery (appalling weather/Christmas credit card bills/feeling down after Christmas/not sticking to those resolutions/low motivation levels/overwhelmed by the need to do something to lift the gloom). That's cheered you up no end I'm sure. Now on to more positive things....

I did feel the need to do something creative yesterday but wanted an easy and relaxing project which would produce quick results. So I got my scrapbook out. I haven't done this for many years, not since I was a child staying at my Great Aunt's in Brockham, Surrey. Every summer I'd go and stay with her, and we'd catch the bus in to Dorking, call in to the decorating shop and ask for an old wallpaper sample book. The owner always seemed to oblige, and once home Aunty would sit me down with a pile of magazines and scissors and I would lose myself for hours cutting out pictures and sticking them in place on the wallpaper. Sometimes it was lovely wallpaper and I'd be reluctant to stick anything on it; other times I can remember hating the pattern and covering it up completely with pictures. Of course, there weren't the range of magazines back in the sixties that we have now, and people didn't buy as many magazines as we seem to these days. Often Aunty would produce a bundle of Readers Digest which the nice man next door had passed on, which didn't offer many pretty pictures! Not a problem I had yesterday I'm happy to say. Although I don't buy as many as I'd like to, I have a growing pile of magazines, my favourite being Country Homes and Interiors. Trouble is, once you've read them through a few times and drooled over the beautiful homes on show, what to do with them? I can't keep them all for ever, I don't have space. I pass them on sometimes to friends, or take them to the Dentists or the Doctors. But often I cut out pictures of things that I especially like and shove them in an old suitcase. Ready to stick into a scrapbook someday, to create an inspiration journal mostly filled with home ideas to look at just because, or to refer to when I want ideas to decorate a room, or even move house one day. So yesterday I sifted through the pile of cuttings and sorted them into catergories: Kitchen/Living room/Bedroom/Bathroom/Garden etc etc etc. It took me an hour or so and I stored them all in a wallet file ready to glue in place in my scrapbook when I was ready. And last night, in front of the TV watching Larkrise to Candleford, I was sticking and glueing, a couple of pages per room, arranging the pictures until I was happy with the layout before wielding the Pritt stick. I'm delighted with the result. I picked up an artbook at a car boot sale last summer which is perfect for the job. I glued some pretty pictures on the front and messed about a bit to create a vintage looking cover. Now I've got it started, anytime I see a photo or picture that I like, I can cut it out and stick it straight into the scrapbook. Or, I can collect together lots of pictures in my file until I fancy another afternoon's scrapping. A nice way to spend a January afternoon, and maybe it'll bring back memories for you of childhood days spent sticking and glueing?

Lull: An interval of lessened activity

2007-12-31T13:03:00.000Z

Like many of you this was my first Christmas since discovering blogging; it certainly makes you look at life with a different eye. You see something pretty and you want to photograph it to show your blogging friends who you know will appreciate it and "get" why it gives you pleasure. And isn't it fun seeing everyone else's pretty photos? I've especially been drooling over at Kittythimble, Posy, Tales from Pixie Wood, and Vintage Pleasure. Their homes look so inviting, you can imagine what a lovely time was had by all. We had a lovely time too in this house, between the illnesses that seemed to spread from one of us to the other. Christmas dinner was delicious. All went smoothly...well ok, I'll confess......anyone else have a culinary disaster like this? Here's my pretty picture for today.We'd decided against Christmas pudding this year, we're always to full to eat it and don't like it that much anyway. On Christmas Eve I whipped up Nigella's Pavlova, baked it, turned the oven off and left it in there overnight. On Christmas morning between unwrapping presents I switched the oven on ready to roast the turkey.....well you can imagine the rest, half an hour later the house was filled with the smell of burning, the smoke alarm went off yet again (seems to be a regular thing around here)....meringue nests out of a box just aren't the same!

The past few days we've been in a bit of a lull. We're having an interval of lessened activity. We're not due back to work until Thursday and frankly we're sitting around a lot. Enjoying watching the Complete Royle Family. We surfaced for a walk around Tring Reservoirs yesterday, doesn't a walk in the fresh air make you feel better?

So here we are, New Year's Eve. Not my favourite night, I think it's over-rated. There's this pressure to have fun fun fun. I think it can be quite a lonely time for many people. We've been invited out (someone I work with, all of my close friends and family are staying in) but we'll probably stay in too, have a nice meal and a celebration drink to toast the New Year. I've got the excuse of getting over my heavy cold. I like the thought of the New Year beginning tomorrow, and I've been thinking about what sort of year it might be. I don't generally stick to New Year's resolutions but it can be useful to set yourself goals in the hope that you might might achieve some of them. Claire wrote a nice post about New Year and funnily enough her list is much the same as my list and probably like yours too....

1. Lose weight

2.Drink more water

3.Spend less money (that I don't have)

4.Make time for friends

5. Make time for me

6. Be a nicer person

Whatever you're doing tonight, enjoy! Really, I might be a bit of a grump, but I wish you all a happy and healthy 2008. Thanks for taking the time to visit me and leave comments this year, it's been great fun to connect up with you all. Thanks to my special blogging friends (you know who you are) for your friendship, it means a lot to me.

Christmas bliss

2007-12-20T21:40:00.000Z

Isn't it bliss to look at all the Christmas loveliness out there in blogland? I'm so enjoying seeing what you've all been making, how you're decorating your homes, what activities you've been doing with your children. It's been my first Christmas since discovering blogs, and I'm finding such pleasure in the simple things. I finally finished work on Friday and have 2 whole weeks off....yay!

I've been putting my vintage decorations around the house, their colours are so pretty and subtle, and I love the fact they have a history that I can only guess at. I'll be looking out for more of these next year at the car boot sales!

Haven't quite got into that Christmas mood yet as I'm still catching up with housework/shopping, but I bought the last present on the list today, and my Mum is arriving tomorrow from Cornwall so I'll give the house it's final pre-Christmas clean up and then we're ready to relax and enjoy the festive season.

I did a food shop today which should see us through until the end of next week. I made a conscious decision not to buy a whole load of food that we won't have the time or inclination to eat and end up throwing away....such a waste and an expensive one at that. I've planned a menu for the week and tried to stick to my list, with some nice treats thrown in the trolley. I'm planning to brine my turkey for the first time, I've been reading about this technique and as it comes recommended by Nigella then it's good enough for me. Nigella's recipe calls for a lot of different ingredients which could be quite expensive if you don't have them to hand, but there are much simpler recipes out there so I'm giving it a go. One of Nigella's recipes I will be following is her Ham in Coca Cola, I made this last year and it's delicious....yum yum.On the creative front, I've discovered this lady recently, go take a look she's so inspiring. Following her instructional video I've started my own art journal today, and plan to try and spend a little time when I can adding to it. This is an easy project to pick up every now and then with no pressure to finish it, no beginning or end really as you just start your next book once one is full. It's something you could fit in alongside any other crafting you enjoy doing too. I'm really keen to do this as it will fit into my busy life and satisfy that creative urge.....

As this might be my last post before Christmas may I wish everyone who takes the time to read my blog a very Merry Christmas and peace and happiness for 2008. Thankyou for all of your comments and support, and a huge thankyou to all of you who write blogs and keep me enthralled and entertained and inspired. You've changed my life for the better...thankyou thankyou!

Forgot to remember.....

2007-12-02T14:45:00.000Z

Oops I remembered I forgot all about the little prize draw I was going to have for some of this........

So without further delay my able assistant Lucy carried out the ceremony this afternoon.

And the winners are...... (x-factor style very long pause, drum roll).....

Elizabeth, Cathy, Gena, Kim, Deb, and Lucy. Congratulations Ladies, please email me with your address and some string will be winging it's way to you. (I know I've already got yours Kim and Elizabeth but to save me trawling through my old emails could you re-send them please?! Senior moment!)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2007-12-01T21:35:00.000Z

It's a busy time of year for many of us, all a bit rush rush busy busy. I'm enjoying reading all about the Christmas preparations going on with some of my fellow bloggers. It's a bit of light relief for me as work is a priority right now....I'm sure those of you who work in schools will know what it's like with term-end activities.... two weeks to go and I've got two weeks off. Yay! I can really get into the spirit of Christmas then. In the meantime, I've added some Christmas music at the bottom of the page. Perhaps you might put it on while you wrap or write cards or put up decorations.

I've mostly done my Christmas shopping, the days of buying lots of little toys and games and Christmas stockings have passed for us, and the getting up at 6am on Christmas morning so it's all a lot easier.I'm shopping on a budget for everyone else and I've enjoyed choosing special but inexpensive presents that I know the recipient will really like. A good book or a favourite film is always nice to give and receive. I had big ideas to make some presents this year, but it's the 1st December and nothing has been produced yet........I've got a growing stash of special food put by for the holiday, but I'm not going to overdo it, too often in the past I've thrown out piles of food that we just didn't have time to eat. This year I'm paring it down. Spending time relaxing, watching tv, playing board games, walking, maybe some photography outings if Santa brings that new camera? I've caught up with a few of my favourite blogs today, and thought it was time I put in an appearance on my own blog.

The long dark evenings mean I'm watching more tv and there're some good things on offer. I'm enjoying X-Factor...Rhydian to win I guess...?

One of my daughter's good friends is hoping to audition next year. Have a listen to this. A lovely young lady who's got talent. Good luck Danielle!

Loving Cranford on Sunday nights, what a wonderful drama. But it does clash with The long way down which I can't miss either (starring the gorgeous Ewan).

And Gok of course. I love him. He makes women feel so much better about themselves in a non-threatening way. Not sure I'd be as brave as his ladies but they do look good naked!

Housework all done today so a nice day off tomorrow, Christmas cards to write, maybe wrap a few presents. Have a good Sunday whatever you're planning to do.

Thrifting: the act of shopping at a flea market, garage sale, boot sale or charity shop with the intent of finding interesting items at a cheap price

2007-11-10T10:04:00.000Z

I love seeing what other bloggers have found while thrifting, although I have to confess to experiencing serious thrift envy when something like this is picked up. The thrill of thrifting is never knowing what you might come across and I've had some minor thrills over the past few weeks. It's been a while since I showed my bargains so I thought you might enjoy some pretty pictures.

Glassware for Christmas....I've got this vision of placing candles and glass things all over the living room with pretty christmassy glittery bits in between :). My friend Frances turned up this week with the glass bowl, the tall and small candlestick and the vase, £1 the lot! She's a regular at our local junk shop and picks up the most amazing bargains. The other bits I bought at boot sales, nothing more than £2 here.

More books to read. Currently I'm reading Pride and Prejudice. I thought I'd get a head start before Cherry's book group take up the challenge. Then I stand a chance of joining in the discussions. Like Cherry I also gave up on Mrs Galloway, I just didn't get it.But I'm enjoying P & P, especially having seen the Keira Knightly film version which perfectly captured the domesticity and reality of everyday life, for me. I've picked up several vintage cookery and sewing books, all for under £1, to make cards with. Here's the work in progress.....I'll show the end results sometime. Feel free to use my ideas. I got the red & white twine from my friendly butcher. OOH. We're easily pleased aren't we? This is difficult to find in the UK. Chat up your own local butcher, he might be able to order some for you.Want some of mine? Leave a comment, I'll have a little prize draw. These cards transport me back to summers spent at Great Aunty Lill and Great Uncle Mark's in Dorking, Surrey in the 1960s. This was a favourite of ours to play in the evenings (well, mine anyway, they acted like they enjoyed it too!)Sweet little dish, 50p.

Peace be with you. £2.

Not a great photo, but my favourite thing is this glass fronted bookcase, won on Ebay for £25. This is my bestest Christmas present from Husband, ( I know it's early, but you have to grab it while you can on Ebay).It's going to be my new craft cupboard. I need to have a bit of a sort out first ;)Ok, the housework is beckoning, I can't put it off any longer. Enjoy your weekend!

p.s. a question. Why don't my photos enlarge when you click on them any more? Anyone know the answer? They used to. Any advice from other Bloggers would be much appreciated. Thanks!

What I did on my holidays- a short story

2007-10-31T21:22:00.000Z

Now, you know when your friends invite you over for the evening for a bite to eat and a look at their holiday snaps, and you either love the thought and go along happily bearing bottles of wine and something chocolately for dessert...or you find it all just so dull and husband asks why you have to sit and look at what someone else did on their holiday, particularly as it was in a 5 star luxurious hotel and you could only run to a wet weekend in a tent this year? Well, you might want to think about what camp you fall into before continuing to read this post 'cos it's show and tell time for me, and you could pour that glass of wine and pull up your chair for a short time, or you may prefer to go and pluck your eyebrows, or cut your toenails, or do those sit-ups. I do understand that they might be marginally more attractive.

I had the best time in Lincolnshire last week, starting with an outing to the Plowright theatre in Scunthorpe on the Friday evening to see the Frodingham Theatrical Society perform It's Now or Never*By Mike Tredinnick, a comedy which we thoroughly enjoyed. I love to see amateur dramatics, I appreciate the fact that people are willing to give a large chunk of their spare time to entertain others. G & T in the bar to get us in the mood, a tub of Strawberry clotted cream ice cream in the interval, very civilised.

On the Saturday morning we browsed around Brigg.It's an attractive town, and does have a few charity shops which we enjoyed looking around and we picked up a few bits and pieces. The prices were quite reasonable in some of them, compared to my local charity shops which are almost as expensive as buying new in some cases. It's the sort of town I'd like to live in one day.

We all felt a little weary and after a delicious carvery meal at a local pub we spent a lovely lazy afternoon back at Aunty Barbara's, watching the Vicar of Dibley and crocheting Granny squares (in my case) or knitting socks (in cousin Julie's case).

We enjoyed an early evening stroll around the fields with the dogs.

I like the contrast between the countryside and the power station in the distance.

We were just so lucky with the fine weather.

Bright and early on Sunday morning Julie and I eagerly drove off to the local Car boot sale, one of the largest in the country so I'm told. It's exciting visiting car boot sales that are new to you, they just seem different and sell different things, and we picked up a few bargains. I decided against bringing home some chickens .... By the time we left at 12ish it was pretty packed. But oh it was fun! I'll show you some of my finds another time. After a light lunch we joined Barbara and took a trip across the Lincolnshire Wolds to Mablethorpe for a stroll along the seafront. Not a place I'd want to spend a holiday in but we had a pleasant couple of hours there, and enjoyed another tasty meal on the way home in a country pub.

On Monday Julie and I spent the day in Lincoln. I could write volumes about this city, it's a beautiful place with so much to see. If you're in the area I highly recommend a visit. When you go I urge you to take lunch at Brown's restaurant and pie shop. They serve only home-made traditional food, the portions are huge and it's a really pleasurable eating experience. Very cosy, in fact so cosy that I was reluctant to take out my camera to take a pic of the meal. But trust me it was delicious.

A few images from our day.

On Tuesday after a morning walk with the dogs along Ermine street, a major Roman road which runs from London to Lincoln and York, we had lunch at Uncle Henry's which is a working farm with farm shop and cafe serving home-cooked food. We enjoyed yet another delicious meal, I can recommend this place if you're in the area. We called in on the way home to buy some of their farm-reared pork and it was the best roast pork I've ever eaten. I'm converted, I'm planning a trip to a local farm shop for the next joint of pork! We spent a few hours at Gainsborough Old Hall in the afternoon which is a medieval manor house in the heart of the town. Originally surrounded by it's own grounds, the town has built up around the hall over the years. It's a very interesting trip out and having no kids to entertain meant I could listen to the sound guides and really take in the atmosphere of the place. Worth a look if you're in the area.

After a quick browse around Morrisons, which has quite a range of Polish food( we decided against buying the Pulpety and Klopsy, maybe another time.....) we had a lazy last night before travelling home on Wednesday morning. You know that feeling, good to be home but wishing for more time away to do more nice things! Once you've done 6 loads of washing, got the house back the way you like it, stocked up the larder again, time away becomes a distant memory.....

Here's to the next holiday. Hope yours was just as enjoyable.

Things that make me go mmmmm.....

2007-10-26T22:23:00.000+01:00

I've been lucky enough to have had a fabulous half-term week and I've really been able to indulge myself. Teenage son and daughter are busy doing their own thing these days and husband is quite capable of taking care of himself so I'm starting to flap my wings gently and untie those apron strings. I spent a few days in Lincolnshire at my Aunt's with my cousin Julie. I'll tell you more about it in a later post so those of you who'd rather not look at someone else's holiday pics might want to avoid me for a few days! But for now I just wanted to share a few things that've made me happy these last couple of weeks.

Spending time with Aunty Barbara & Cousin Julie.

This calendar from Marks & Spencer's, £7.99 (or 3 for the price of 2)...isn't it gorg? Grab one now before they sell out!

This retro style clock from Morrison's, reduced from £4.99 to £2.99. They have a whole range of retro style kitchen accessories in cream and red, worth a look.

Arriving home from Aunty's to this. I love the TV series and love this book, it's good bedtime reading even if you don't cook anything from it :)

Recieving these wonderful gifts from the lovely Mary. For no reason really, just as a thankyou, and Mary urged me not to get excited about the parcel winging it's way to me. Now I'm sure you can imagine my reaction on finding these in the parcel, aren't they lovely? Handmade by Mary (clever Lady), from vintage linen, they were scented with lavender and are hanging proudly in my bedroom now. Mary is one of my favourite bloggers, why not pop over and take a look at her blog?

Treating myself to this very cute camera case from Rachel at Hilda May. I love it. Rachel has made a few of them to order, and kindly agreed to make one for me. My camera sits snugly inside it in my handbag ready for those blog photo opportunities. It was well used while I was away, Barbara and Julie were looking around them with a different eye and pointing out things I might photograph. Blogging does that to you doesn't it? I even laid down on a pavement photographing a pink snail in Macro mode. I'm sure you can all relate to that...it didn't turn out very well but the thought was there!

Listening to this in the car. Amy may have her troubles but boy the girl has talent. Let's hope she pulls herself together and continues to make great music.

For those who were off last week, hope it was a good one for you too. Back to work , back to school on Monday. Next stop Christmas, yippee.......!!!

Selling up....shuffling off...

2007-10-13T22:16:00.000+01:00

Phew, it's been a busy few days around here...we're selling up and moving out and I've been up to my eyes with packing and cleaning, you know how it is. It took me four hours to empty the whole house from top to bottom, wrap everything carefully and store away in a box. I don't hang around. And of course you have to leave the house sparkling clean for the new owners, we don't want them thinking we're slovenly. So it's had a thorough wipe down with a J-cloth.

I really should come clean at this point, and tell you that it's my dollshouse that I'm selling, not my real house. I've been thinking about it for some time now. My dollshouse is just too large and my real house is just too small. My dollshouse has stood, neglected, in the corner of my bedroom for the past 3 years, and I can't even open the doors properly because the wall is in the way. We can't do without the wall (it holds the house up) so the dollshouse has to go. It needs a revamp and it's going to be a lot of years before I get my own workroom or a bit of space to decorate the dollshouse (and who knows maybe my kids will just stay with us for ever).

So I announced last week that I was going to sell it on Ebay. The kids couldn't believe I'd want to sell my pride and joy, but I think Husband might be secretly pleased that it's going. We have to shuffle sideways between the wardrobe and the bed every time we go in and out of the bedroom. And he's at that age now, it comes to us all, he often has to go to the loo in the night (don't tell him I told you that). I've lost count of the times he's banged his hip on the wardrobe key as he shuffles sideways past the wardrobe in the pitch black ('cos he's very considerate and would never turn the light on and risk disturbing me). He's on the lean side, no fat to protect his hipbone so it blooming well hurts. Poor man, he only makes a small sound as he bruises himself once again. And gets quietly back into bed without any fuss. I've taught him well.

The result of 10 years collecting miniatures in a brown cardboard box. And hundreds of ornaments and accessories in a pink plastic box. If only it were that easy in real life. The art collection packed up in a small plastic box. And a pile of unwanted stuff selling on Ebay. I thought I'd never sell my dollshouse, but it feels strangely liberating. It was my first dollshouse and I knew nothing then. I just wanted to get the biggest and best I could afford. But I've been looking at it in a different light recently. My tastes have changed now, I want a small house I can have on show in the living room, and decorate it in a light and airy vintage style. I'm in no rush to buy the next one. I might wait until I have time and space to indulge myself. Maybe when I retire even. And imagine what fun it'll be unwrapping all of my miniature goodies.

Boot sales rule!

2007-10-08T22:27:00.000+01:00

I can't believe how lucky we've been with the weather over the past few weeks; usually I expect to stop going to boot sales by late September but still they go on. Have you seen the forecast for this week? They're predicting an Indian summer into next week, so I know where I'll be on Sunday morning. Sorry if it's not so good in your part of the world but I'm making up for all those wet weekends back in the summer when boot sales were rained off.

Now is it just me, or does anyone else notice how people selling at boot sales can be very stereotypical?
There are the "newbies" who have no idea what a boot sale is all about and have completely unrealistic ideas about what we (the buyers) are willing to pay. You know the ones, you ask "how much for this?" and they do that car mechanic thing, draw breath through their teeth and tell you "I paid £60 for that, it's like new". So I'm thinking, "well you don't want it now and it's been used so just tell me how much". So they say "I'm willing to accept £5 for it" and I'm already moving on to the next stall. It's almost as if they don't want you to buy it sometimes. Surely the idea is to get rid of everything and not take it home?

Another gripe is about the sellers who want to give you a different price for every item. So, there's a rail of clothes and you pick out a jacket and ask how much. "Oh that's designer" they say, "that one's £5". "How about this blouse then" I ask. "Oh that's £3" they reply. Personally I thought the £3 item was worth more than the £5. But no matter because they've lost me already. Too expensive for me at a boot sale. I'm a £1 max kinda buyer :)

And what about the ones who, with good intention, help you to look through their bag of clothes on the floor, picking out things they think you'd like? Bearing in mind they've never seen me before in their life how can they possibly think they know what I like?!! Grrrrr. I find it embarrassing having to say no to all these (usually) grotty old clothes they've dragged down from the loft and I move on yet again.

But thank goodness the great stalls more than make up for the disappointing ones. I love what I call the "Oldies" stalls. Often an elderly couple who've emptied out their attic and cupboards and have a stall full of vintage stuff from the past 50 years. Oooh I can have a lovely rummage through their bits and pieces, having a chat while I'm at it. They're often pleased to see their old tat go to a good home and even better only want 20p for it!

A good boot sale for me is when "Posh woman" attends. She's had a clear out of this year's wardrobe to make room for next year's and is selling everything for £1. With discount for multiple purchases. The only trouble is every other buyer has discovered her too so it can be a bit of a battle. I try to be polite and considerate to my fellow buyers, meanwhile the pushy ones are grabbing all the bargains in front of me. I don't join in this scrummage needless to say and often move on to find bargains elsewhere. Maybe at "cool young person's" stall, she just wants to make a few bob before returning to Uni or to buy some new clothes, "50p each, oh go on give me a fiver for the bag" which I later find out has around 20 items in it!

Grumpy Old Woman moments aside, I love it all, it's the thrill of never knowing what you might find and knowing that it won't cost much either. And of course I'm pleased that people bother to turn out early on a Sunday morning to sell just as I'm sure they're happy to see the buyers filing in behind them. We rely on each other and that's a nice feeling.

I found these on Sunday. Glass cake cover £2. Cut glass candlesticks £1. Silver candlestick £2. Cut glass bowl £1.50. Glass bowl 50p. I've got this idea to have lots of glass and candlesticks and candles around the house at Christmas so I'm looking out for suitable lovely things.

Jug 50p.

This vintage fabric, 50p. Daughter has asked me to make a bag with it so I might have to do that sewing I've been putting off after all :)

Bag of zips, £1. Please, email me if you'd like some. I bought them with you all in mind.

Have a good week everyone.

Cry me a river

2007-10-06T21:13:00.000+01:00

Hello out there! Long time no speak. I'm still busy at work but hopefully things will quieten down over the next few weeks so I'll have a bit more blogging time.

I've been thinking for the past couple of days, what should I write about when I next post? I don't have anything very exciting to share this week. I was thinking about how I started my own blog after coming across some lovely blogs which were mainly craft related, and they re-ignited my passion for things creative.

The plan was that I'd write about things that I've been making too 'cos I wanted to join in. I was full of ideas to start with. I saw beautiful bags that others had made and I know I could do that. I used to be an accomplished dressmaker, I made lots of my clothes as a teenager. Just need to build up a fabric stash. On a tight budget!

I saw the fab crochet blankets that everyone seemed to be making, and I duly purchased some wool and made a start on my own Granny squares. I'm up to 12 squares now. Only another 80 or so to go.........

I saw delightful cards and pictures that clever people made using vintage books and sewing patterns, so now I've got a growing collection of ephemera ready to be made into hand-made birthday cards or thankyou cards or just cards to tell someone I'm thinking of them.

But the truth is I just don't have enough spare time to do very much crafting. Progress on my blanket will be slow, I managed 2 squares last week but methinks this winter will be without a warm cosy blanket at the end of the bed. Bags, well I think I'll just leave those to the experts. I made a few cards last week, and I've even sent a few of them, but I can't share them with you because they aren't my own original idea, just a combination of ideas from seeing other people's creations online. But, what I do do on a regular basis is cook! And thrift! So whilst this blog might be a little short on the creative front for a while, I can always show you my latest bargain or my latest culinary attempts. I can even combine the two :)

I picked up this book for 20p at a boot sale a couple of weeks ago, it's really interesting and informative and includes a whole chapter on the different styles of American cookery so I've been educated too. I've picked out lots of recipes I'd like to try and last Saturday I came out of my comfort zone ( curry every Saturday night) and served Chinese chicken with peanuts. Very tasty, I can recommend this dish.

Chinese chicken with peanuts (serves 4)

2 large chicken breasts or 6 thighs

1 egg white

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp cornflour

2 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp water

1 tsp light brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cider or wine vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

4 spring onions

275ml groundnut oil

1/4tsp dried crushed red pepper flakes

50g salted peanuts

1) Cut the chicken into 1/2" cubes. Mix the egg white, 1 tbsp cornflour. 1tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp water and stir well. Mix with the chicken cubes, cover and let stand in the fridge for 30 mins.

2) Stir together the sugar, salt, remaining cornflour, remaining soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil and 2 tbsp water and set aside. Put a large strainer on top of a heatproof bowl. Cut the spring onions into thin slices.

3) Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan on a med heat. Stir the chicken mixture well, tip into the frying pan and stir-fry until the chicken cubes are opaque. Pour the oil and chicken into the strainer. Reheat the frying pan and return 2 tbsp of the strained oil. Put in the red pepper flakes, spring onions and chicken and stir-fry for 1 minute.

4) Stir in the cornflour and vinegar mixture and cook and stir on a high heat for about one more minute until the sauce suddenly thickens and clears. Stir in the peanuts and serve.

Cook's notes

I used sunflower oil, it tasted fine, also I used dried chillies in the absence of dried peppers, gave it a bit of a kick. I served the chicken with plain boiled rice and stir-fried vegetables. Definitely one I'll do again and it was so easy.

The fine weather is continuing in my part of the country and I'm still going to car boot sales on Sunday mornings. Long may it last! I found these last week....50p each

Vintage Christmas baubles 80p

Pretty aren't they?£1 the lot.
Vintage fabric £3. This I'm selling on Ebay.
Oh, and the post title? I've cried a river this afternoon making onion marmalade (3kg of onions were peeled through the tears)

Very satisfying. Hope your weekend is just as rewarding whatever you're doing.

Something for the weekend....

2007-09-23T11:07:00.000+01:00

Hello chaps.Oh I've missed my blog! Work has taken over with a vengeance this month, I've enjoyed reading my favourite blogs but no time to post myself and anyway, I thought maybe you needed a break from my chatter after the marathon postings during August.

I so look forward to my weekends when I'm very busy at work, and by Friday I can't wait to have some time at home. I'm spending this weekend "puttering" as Alison would say. I cleaned the house from top to bottom yesterday, did all the washing, just got a small pile of ironing to do today.

Our favourite meal on a Saturday night is chicken curry. I debate whether to try some new dish out especially as I've seen some nice recipes here, here and here. However the lure of the curry is too strong. I've tried many recipes over the years, but this is one of the best; it demonstrates that you don't have to start from scratch to enjoy a delicious meal. So, while You've been framed is on the telly keeping you company, open a bottle of beer and get stuck in.

Chicken Tikka Masala

(serves 4)

Chicken pieces (I use 2 chicken breasts and 3-4 boned chicken thighs which are by far the most succulent), cut into small chunks

1 large onion, chopped

1/3 jar Patak's Tikka Masala paste

1 tin chopped tomatoes

Double cream

Fresh coriander

Method

In a large pan heat some oil and gently fry the onion. Add the chicken and fry for 5 minutes or so. Add the curry paste, give it a good stir, add the tomatoes and a small amount of water to "loosen" the mix. Leave to simmer on a low heat for around 30 minutes.

Meanwhile....while the curry's cooking, cook your rice.

I use Delia's method: heat a small amount of oil in a saucepan , add the rice and stir it to coat it in the oil.

Add boiling salted water (double the amount of water to rice, eg 6oz rice=12 fl oz water).

Stir, cover the pan with foil and put the lid on. Set heat to lowest. LEAVE IT ALONE FOR 15 MINUTES.

Then, remove from the heat, remove the foil and place some kitchen roll on top for a few minutes to absorb the steam. Fluff up with a fork before serving. It works for me every time.

Meanwhile #2....I often cook my version of Bombay Aloo.

Fry a small chopped onion in a small saucepan, and add some cold cooked new potatoes (you could cook them off earlier in the day), stirring around for a minute or two.

Add 1/4 jar of Patak's Korma paste, a small amount of water, some spinach ( use frozen, just defrost a couple chunks of it as you need it) and two or three cherry tomatoes halved.Leave to simmer for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and leave for 10 minutes or so for the flavours to develop.

Meanwhile #3.... we love freshly cooked Poppadoms, they take only seconds and taste so much nicer than the ready cooked. Heat some oil in a saucepan on a medium heat, add the uncooked poppadoms one at a time and watch them puff up..sorry about the poor quality of the photo, not an easy one to take!

You literally have to drop one in, quickly turn it over with a pair of tongs and remove. Leave to drain on some kitchen roll.

Meanwhile #4 ....get your accompaniments ready. In some small dishes we have diced onions/diced cucumber/chopped tomatoes with a sprinkling of chopped fresh coriander. Some Greek natural yoghurt with mint (use either chopped fresh mint or dried). Some mango chutney. And I love coconut with my curry (Sainsbury's do a sweetened dessicated coconut, delish).

The moment when everything should be ready at the same time. Ok, so if you've multi tasked for the last half-hour, we're ready to dish up. To the chicken Tikka add some double cream, to taste really and depending on how thick you like your sauce. I reckon about 4 fl oz should do it. Also add chopped fresh coriander (you could put some in the potatoes too). Give it a stir. And serve. This is one of the rare occasions when we eat in front of the TV, with Ant & Dec to entertain us. Perfect. Followed by a crochet session, I've picked up my Granny squares after a long break. I need to start being creative again, I've procrastinated for far too long

And, I've still got Sunday...I've been to the car boot sale this morning. I didn't find much...a nice book, and a bookrest to put my cookbook on. I tried it out this morning when I made a banana loaf (well, two actually, they'll last a couple of days maybe)

A Kilner jar to store my dishwasher tabs in (I saw this idea on another blog)I think boot sales start to go downhill by September, I often see the same people trying to sell the same stuff week in week out. The weather will decide how much longer they run for this year, and then it's time to have a break, maybe take in a jumble sale or two over the winter. And I don't mind too much, I appreciate boot sales all the more when they return in the spring with a fresh load of stuff from people's attics and cupboards.

Have a good Sunday whatever you're doing.

Zero

2007-09-05T19:02:00.000+01:00

I really hope you've enjoyed reading my A-Z of me meme as much as I've enjoyed taking part in it. I have Zero (figure 0, nought, no quantity or number, nil) posts to write for the meme now and in a way I'm sad to come to the end. It made me think and provided me with a lot of fun. Thankyou so much for sticking with me, especially my regulars ( you know who you are). And special thanks for all the funny comments left yesterday about Nigella's programme, you made me smile. Take a look at this, it might make you smile back. (Particularly "anonymous" who left the comment "I watched Nigella last night and I found her really annoying. All that smiling to herself...so smug." ). The rest of us can drool over these....

Yes Man

2007-09-03T22:01:00.000+01:00

A book that I enjoyed reading was Yes Man by comedian Danny Wallace.

Synopsis: "I, Danny Wallace, being of sound mind and body, do hereby write this manifesto for my life. I swear I will be more open to opportunity. I swear I will live my life taking every available chance. I will say Yes to every favour, request, suggestion and invitation. I will swear to say yes where once i would say no.' Danny Wallace had been staying in. Far too much. Having been dumped by his girlfriend, he really wasn't doing the young, free and single thing very well. Instead, he was avoiding people. Texting them instead of calling them. Calling them instead of meeting them. That is until that one fateful date when a mystery man on a late-night bus told him to 'Say Yes more'. These three simple words changed Danny's life forever. "Yes Man" is the story of what happened when Danny decided to say yes to everything, in order to make his life more interesting. And boy, did it get more interesting."

It's an interesting and funny read and while I won't be saying yes to absolutely everything, it inspires you to be a bit more pro-active in life and say yes more. Too often we can be negative when opportunities come our way..."oh no, I couldn't do that"..... "no, we don't usually do it that way"..... "no I can't be bothered to go out" etc etc. Saying yes sometimes when you might usually say no may lead you to have a new experience, make a new friend, have fun when you least expect it.

p.s Nigella...I didn't know whether to look at her cooking or look at her fab kitchen and make note of her accessories. Isn't she gorgeous? Are we all going to come home after a night out and bake a croissant toffee pudding? I doubt it...but sheer foodie eye candy. Yum yum.

xmas...ok I know it's cheating...

2007-08-30T22:57:00.000+01:00

I know, I know, it's still only August, but before long Christmas will be upon us. I've noticed a few people have mentioned the C word (or in this case the X word) and some are busy making Christmas items. I loved Alicia's Christmas tree trimming post and since I read it I've picked up some vintage Christmas baubles at car boot sales. Elizabeth collects them too. They're going to be quite the thing this Christmas season don't you know.

Old Christmas decorations and baubles make me feel quite nostalgic, and I'm always thrilled to find any because they're so delicate and break easily. Just think, they've been hung on the tree each year for decades, and taken down each year and wrapped carefully until the next time. And yet you can still find whole boxes of them while you're thrifting. If you're lucky.

I've got a fancy for a silver Christmas tree this year, decorated in the vintage style. I'm not sure what DH will make of it all....but he indulges my little whims, he's a tolerant sort of bloke.

Oh, while I'm on the X subject...The X-Factor. Simon. I love him. Doesn't he just speak the truth? It might not be what the wannabees wanna hear but the man talks sense. And who can blame him when faced with the likes of this?

And, don't miss Nigella EXpress, Monday evenings, 8.30pm, BBC2.

Exciting eh?

Working lives

2007-08-29T08:17:00.000+01:00

What I love about blogging is that we all get to "meet" other women (and men) whose paths we would never cross in the real world. It's such a diverse community and I'm fascinated to learn a little about how other people live and work. I've found blogs with women who home-school, who are nurses, teachers, full-time Mums, small business women, photographers, office workers, writers, librarians, the list goes on.

It strikes me that most of them enjoy what they do and find their work very rewarding (whether in or out of the home). I'm lucky enough to have a job that I enjoy too. I'm a catering manager in an independent school, and it's a very rewarding but demanding job. I sort of fell into the catering world 1o years ago and found an environment that I liked being in. I've often thought that if I had my time over again I'd have made different choices in life. I remember when I took my options at senior school, I had to choose between languages or domestic science and art. The system meant that I had to choose one path or the other, no compromises. And because I was quite good at languages, and my teachers wanted me to continue my studies, I chose French and German over the more practical domestic science and the far more appropriate (for me) art. I gained GCSEs and CSEs in French and German...and never ever spoke either language again (apart from the odd "bonjour", "merci", "au revoir"). I can sort of translate what French text says but only for fun, it's never served any practical purpose. The German language has been filed away deep in my memory in some lost file. Now if I'd chosen domestic science (it's called food technology these days...why?) maybe I'd have discovered my calling at the right time...maybe I'd have gone on to catering college...maybe I'd have been a chef all these years. Or if I'd chosen art maybe I'd have gone to art college........maybe I'd have been working in a creative environment all these years. Who knows....

I don't have regrets, I've been largely satisfied with the jobs I've had. Life doesn't always go the way you think it's going to. I worked in retail for 10 years when I left school, working my way up the ladder to become a Record department manager. I loved that job, working with music, with a great team. But I was glad to move on when I started my family, and happy to work part-time while the children were growing up. I worked evenings at the local sorting office for a few years, in a very male dominated workplace, which I enjoyed. Various cleaning jobs followed, a couple of years at local newsagents, and for some years I was an ironing lady. Yes ironing. I'm one of those strange people who actually doesn't mind ironing. So I did other people's ironing for them. I ironed all day and sometimes in the evenings. For about 3 years. Once my youngest started school I realised I needed to get out to work with other people. I was becoming too isolated and slightly brain-dead, what with doing all that ironing. And that's when I stepped into the catering world. How do you feel about your work? Do you wish you'd taken a different path?

Vacillating

2007-08-27T23:02:00.000+01:00

I'm struggling with V in the Encyclopedia of me meme. I thought about showing you some pretty photos of Vintage stuff....I love to look at vintage style homes and interiors but the truth is I live in a small, modern house and can only dream of living in a home like those featured in these magazines.

I love looking at them though and can always find ideas and inspiration to add little touches of vintage to my own home. But my house isn't ever going to be one that I'll be showing off proudly on this blog. I like Ali's recent post about showing "small elements of my home that I do not detest and that I have photographed so as to eliminate all traces of dirt and detritus". I can relate to that.

I searched the dictionary for suitable V words to write about. I'm clearly vacillating (hesitant, in two minds, shilly-shallying ,uncertain). My mind is vacuous (blank, inane, unintelligent,vacant). I'm a bit vague. Maybe I should vamoose ( clear off, do a bunk, go away, make oneself scarce, scarper, skedaddle). But I vowed to myself to finish this meme, and that's what I'll do. Then I'll get back to writing about random subjects as they come into my head. Phew I hear you all saying! Hope your weekend was good.

Use it or lose it

2007-08-25T00:24:00.001+01:00

I'm sure many of you, like me, find yourself forgetting things,or struggling to find the correct words, or racking your brain to remember the name of the person you're talking to(who seems to know you very well)

I could waffle on about times when I feel I'm losing it. At work, I can easily forget some important message told to me in the corridor by the time I've walked back to my office. I've left work completely forgetting we'd put wine in the freezer to chill down for an evening meeting, in spite of the note on my desk and the reminder message on the large whiteboard on the wall. Wine bottles pop the cork when they're frozen, did you know that...

I joke about having a "senior moment", but the truth is I've probably just got too much stuff going on in my head. I don't seriously believe I'm going senile yet awhile......

Use it or lose it....Research suggests that any intellectually stimulating activity can potentially stave off brain disease. Those who do four crossword puzzles a week are less likely to develop the disease than those who manage only one. Other protective activities include chess, draughts, card and board games, museum visits, reading, playing a musical instrument and ballroom dancing (the last two require a good working memory and a degree of co-ordination). I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to make time each day to complete a crossword (or at least attempt one) so that's my personal challenge. My Mum does the Daily Mail crossword every day. And she's not lost her marbles yet. (Joke, Mum). I'd prefer the ballroom dancing but that's not so easy to arrange and I'm not sure who I'd have to dance with...what if I get the weird one?

And, I'm going to get the scrabble board out more often. DH is just gonna have to learn to like the game, I need a partner and he's the most convenient. He'd better get used to it. Not sure that our games will be as interesting as this one mind you.....

Thrifting

2007-08-23T23:06:00.000+01:00

Thrifting. This was a new word for my vocabulary which I came across when I started blogging. I'd heard the word of course, but it was an American term that we don't generally use in the UK . It's a fine word, an inclusive word that describes perfectly the business of hunting for used or second-hand items that others have discarded. "Going car booting" or "charity shopping" or "off to the jumble" don't have the same ring do they? No, thrifting is the word.

I've been a thrifter ever since I was a child growing up in the 1960s (I didn't know then it had a title). Of course in those days we were far less of a throwaway society. Our parents were the generation who'd survived the war years, rationing, "make do and mend". The only opportunity to bargain hunt was at the jumble sale. There seemed to be one taking place quite regularly in our local area. We'd turn up and queue outside until they opened the doors at 10am. Oh the excitement, where to go first? Books? Clothes? Bric-a-brac? Mum always hit the clothes stalls first, with three children to clothe she was the practical one. We'd go home with huge bags full, tip them out, admire what we'd bought, then Mum would have a mammoth laundry session. I was delighted with my finds. It's a memory that never goes away.

As I grew up and started earning my own money I lost the thrifting bug for many years. I could buy new clothes in the shops, I certainly couldn't be bothered to scour the chairty shops for what I wanted. I wanted the latest fashion from Dorothy Perkins or Snob or Chelsea Girl.

But then a new phenomenom hit the UK. Car Boot Sales. Some enterprising person must have spotted an opportunity to make lots of money. Charge people to park in your field for the morning. What a great concept. I was in thrifting heaven. People selling stuff they don't want to people who want their stuff. For next to nothing. I love them, a good car boot sale makes my weekend. This summer has been a bit of a washout for car boot sales. But I've gone to a few and thought I'd share some of my finds.

Look at this Momma. Isn't she gorgeous. She's an Ollie & Nic. (....whispers "only £1"...). She folds up too. Ohhh, we're going to have fun, Ollie and me, thrifting at the car boot.

And look at this vision in pink. Pyrex, £1. And this piece of old junk, £2. I wanted one of these. You usually find what you want, eventually50p for this tin....

and 50p for this one.....Biscuit tin £1

Vintage patterns £1 the lot

What will we find this week? Oh the anticipation.....

september # 2

2007-08-22T19:06:00.001+01:00

Couldn't resist putting this on following on from my September post....have a listen (you'll need to pause the music player). Enjoy.

September

2007-08-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here

With summer's best of weather

And autumn's best of cheer.-

Author Unknown

My favourite month of the year is fast approaching. September. Summer 's lovely to start with but by August it starts to look past it's best. I always feel slightly restless and melancholic during the summer months. I feel that I "should" get outside and make the most of the fine weather (not that we've had much this year in the UK....). That's not to say I don't enjoy sights such as these. But I like to be indoors too, when I've got some spare time, getting on with stuff. And it seems somehow wrong on a hot summer's day.

I know where I am in September. It grows dark at a reasonable time. When I get home from work I can cook dinner, do a few chores and settle down for the evening. Draw the curtains. Maybe even put the fire on...or perhaps it's time to kick-start the central heating. Get cosy. Bliss.

Relief...

2007-08-20T21:10:00.000+01:00

For a bit of light relief from me me me have a look at this. It's cool. The message seems to be spreading.

"Quiet"

2007-08-19T12:54:00.000+01:00

What's your family like?

We all live our lives so differently, and I love watching Wifeswap for this very reason. I realise it's edited carefully to give maximum entertainment value, and that they swap wives who are complete opposites, but even so it gives us a brief glimpse into other people's lives.

Every family finds their own way of living together, makes their own rules and sets their own boundaries, and I guess most of us would find it difficult to live with another family for too long!

We're a Quiet family on the whole. We've had more than a few blinding rows over the years!..... but they're few and far between these days (we're mellowing as we get older, phew). We don't seem to have unexpected visitors in and out every day like some families. We do arrange get togethers with friends and family every now and then, and I enjoy entertaining. But day to day, I like to batten down the hatches when I get home! I love meeting up with friends, don't get me wrong, but I appreciate quietness at home. I encourage my teenagagers to bring their friends home and they do quite often, but they tend to do the "noisy" stuff at their friends' houses (which are usually bigger than our house). We always have the radio on, or music, or TV, we like background sound. But we're comfortable being quiet with each other. We're content with the way we live. Quietly.

Peace, man

2007-08-16T08:26:00.000+01:00

I read an article in You magazine last Sunday written by life coach Suzy Greaves. She says that if you want to be truly happy and get the most out of life, you should give yourself a break and stop setting yourself unattainable goals. She suggests that if you follow her five new rules you'll be on the road to inner contentment. She talks a lot of sense and her rules are pretty much how I try to live my life now...doesn't always work but hey-ho, such is life. Briefly, the five rules are:

Rule 1 Ditch the "I'll be happy when" goals. When we delay happiness until we are rich/thin/successful, we put our life and sense of fufilment on hold. We need to enjoy the journey rather than obsessing about the destination.

Rule 2 Spend more time with your friends. When we're too busy, something has to give and it's usually your social life. Yet spending time with friends when you don't have to be "good" anything (wife/mother/employee) is hugely important (and I'd include blog friends here...)

Rule 3 Just "be" - sad, mad or miserable. You don't have to be happy to feel peaceful. True peace means surrendering to both the negative and positive points in your day, knowing it's ok to feel a rainbow of emotions. Feelings come and go. Embrace the good, bad and ugly parts of your day and don't examine any of it with a magnifying glass. "This too shall pass" is the mantra. It's very soothing.

Rule 4 Learn to live with odd socks. Suzy's friends were all wonderfully organised and tidy. For years she took notes, and devised an ever growing to-do list: "must be more organised, must be tidier, must have matching socks". And never ever managed it. All the list did was keep her running, always out of breath, always trying and failing to reach the standards she'd set herself. Suzy eventually wrote her ultimate list: all the things she felt she should do to be perfect. And tore it up and waited for chaos to ensue. It didn't. Everything remained the same, but she became more relaxed. And let go of this huge weight of guilt. If you can let go of those "shoulds" there's a lot less noise in your head, which leaves you free to figure out what you really want to do with your time and energy.

Rule 5 Find your flow. Studies show that we are most at peace when we are doing what we most like to do. Make a list of simple things that you'd love to do, and do them. Start small. Take each day.

For more information log on to thebigpeace.com

New blogs in town

2007-08-15T22:07:00.000+01:00

I've discovered some fab blogs recently. Some are newcomers, some I've just newly discovered. Why not take a nose at them? They're all very nice. Have fun! Happy loves Rosie

Fredsworld

Joanna bags

Kitty Thimble

Everything stops for tea

Love honour disobey

Buttercup & Roses

Mary Mary fairly contrary

1Snowflake

Oh, and because it's always nice to look at photos, here are some Ns.

Finally, bet you all forgot, the prize draw took place tonight. Mary please email me with your address and I'll get the book posted off to you. Hope you enjoy it!

Oeufs en cocotte

2007-08-15T21:50:00.000+01:00

O is for oeufs. Eggs. Daughter and I sometimes have a special brunch on a Saturday as a little treat. We like this Tamasin recipe, it's a deliciously simple meal. We usually have some crispy bacon and asparagus with it.

Oeufs en Cocotte

Heat a tablespoon of thick cream to each egg in a pan and pour it into a warm ramekin dish. Slip in the broken egg and add a couple of tiny blobs of butter and a scrunch of black pepper. Put the ramekins into a small roasting pan into which you pour boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins, and place in a medium oven, 180c/350f/Gas 4 for 6-7 minutes.

Serve immediately. With love. Preferably shared.

Let the Music play...

2007-08-15T11:12:00.000+01:00

Music...ahh, I love music. Like most people I enjoy listening to different styles of music. When visiting Sophie Honeysuckle I noticed she'd added a Project Playlist link to her blog. She has a wonderful selection of her favourite music for us to listen to. So, I've opened my own account there to add music to my blog. Wow, it's just fab! Best of all it's free. No money changes hands. No credit cards required. It's easy to start your own playlist which you can share with other bloggers. You need to take a couple of hours to familiarise yourself, and there's a very helpful tutorial. I'm still working on my list, but take a look on the left to see what I've added so far. Maybe there's music you enjoy there. Sophie Honeysuckle certainly has great taste, I've added some of her tracks to my list. 'Cos you can do that too, it's really easy. You can look at everyone else's playlist and add their tracks to yours. T'internet. Cool isn't it?

L is for Leonardslee

2007-08-14T12:40:00.000+01:00

Purely by coincidence, I had a day out yesterday to Leonardslee. How convenient. Great subject for the letter L.

My miniature friend Brenda and I took a trip down to Horsham in Sussex (I don't mean she's miniature, she's a member of my Dolls House and Miniatures group. But I'm not saying she's large....)

Leonardslee has one of the largest and most spectacular woodland gardens in England. Sir Edmund Loder acquired the estate in 1889 and set about creating an impressive garden. The gardens are still owned by the Loder family although sadly they left the mansion in 1984 as it was too large and expensive for a family residence. It now houses offices.

We had a wonderful day out. We took a slow stroll around the grounds, sitting every now and then to listen to the sounds and smell the different plants and fauna.The gardens truly are spectacular, even during August when they are past their best. We definitely want to go again during May when everything is in bloom. We were surprised at how few visitors there were; perhaps we just picked the right day. We had lunch in the cafe before looking around the Doll's House exhibition, which of course was very interesting to us. Even if you're not into dolls houses it's worth a look. I'll leave you with some photos of Leonardslee to tempt you. If ever you're in the area I'd highly recommend it. If you'd like more details I'll post about Leonardslee at Best of British; Days out in Britain.

I ♥ KitchenAid

2007-08-12T22:07:00.000+01:00

I ♥ KitchenAid. I covet a KitchenAid. I owned a KitchenAid once. It sat in my kitchen, unused and gathering dust. And taking up precious space. For 2 years. I foolishly decided to sell it on Ebay when I was de-cluttering. This was in the days before blogs. Before I saw the KitchenAid mixer proudly on show in lots of other bloggers' kitchens. But not in mine anymore. Now my creative, domestic side has been re-awakened, I yearn to stylishly make cakes in a KitchenAid and not the old mixer I've had since 1982. I'm wishing and hoping. But not holding my breath. Pink don't you think?

Jigsaws jumping

2007-08-12T13:52:00.000+01:00

I like to get a Jigsaw puzzle out every now and then. Usually over the Christmas holidays and when I'm visiting my Mum. It's a companionable way to spend time together. You can have a marathon session whilst watching tv or listening to music. Or you can put the odd piece in place as you pass by the table. There are some wonderful jigsaws about, and of course they're in abundance at car boot sales and charity shops. I haven't tackled any this year yet and wasn't really looking for a jigsaw this morning at the car boot. But this one Jumped out at me. I had to buy it (only 50p!). Well wouldn't you? Buttons and jigsaw in one! Oh Joy.

I'm feeling very Jolly today. I've been awarded the Nice Matters Award by both Susan and Sarah. Wow. I'm delighted, I never expected that. I'm in awe of some of the blogs I read, at how creative other people are, at how much more interesting and exciting their lives appear to be than mine. So I'm very flattered that these two talented ladies have thought of me. Thanks girlies. Started by Bella-Enchanted, the award is to be "awarded to those that are just nice people , good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world". Wow again.

I have to name 7 more people to give a Nice Matters Award to. This is really difficult, I have 85 feeds on Bloglines! But you know how there are always a handful of bloggers that you seem to "connect" with. Perhaps keep in touch with via email. So these are the 7 people I'd like to give a Nice Matters Award to:

Angie, Elizabeth, Marianne, Kim, Sandra, Jools, and Jane. Thanks for your wonderful blogs ladies, and of course the other 78 on my list! Feel free to pass the award on if you feel like it.

Idleness

2007-08-09T22:47:00.000+01:00

Idleness:Inacation, inactivity, leisure, time on one's hands, inertia, laziness, sloth, sluggishness, torpor, vegetating, dilly-dallying, lazing, loafing, pottering, time-wasting, trifling.

Does anyone else feel like this at the moment? I'm a working mum so I can't completely shut down, but once I get home it's all such an effort just now. I do what I need to do, then I can get on with doing not very much. There are many productive or creative things I could be doing. But I don't want to do. We should allow ourselves the luxury of relaxing and just being sometimes. We don't always need to be doing.

H is for Happiness

2007-08-08T13:38:00.000+01:00

Happiness is getting up in the morning to a knock on the door, and the postman delivering a parcel. My vintage tin swap parcel from Sarah. Wow, I'm overwhelmed by Sarah's generosity. Just look at these wonderful things.

Some gorgeous fabric bunting (I'm guessing Sarah might have made this!) My family decided that if we do get a campervan the bunting will go around the awning :)

A vintage book about Teacraft, full of information about rituals and recipes for tea and cake. Some fruit infusions. Some braids, ric-rac , fabric and buttons in a beautiful vintage tin. A make your own pie set (it's got a Pie funnel in it!). Sarah, you made my day. I'm delighted. Thankyou thankyou thankyou.

Why not make yourself a cuppa and pop over to visit Sarah's blog.

A Gift

2007-08-07T22:49:00.000+01:00

G is for GIFT. I could Gabble on about something today but I can't think what that something should be. I could Gaily write about what makes me Glad. Or what's Great about Great Britain. I'm not usually very Garrulous however. I don't want to write a load of Gobbledegook. So I'm having a Giveaway. To thank you all for hanging in there while I indulge myself with this Meme. If you'd like to be included in the draw please leave a comment before next Wednesday, 15th August. I'll send this Scrapbooking book to the first person whose name I pull out of the hat. Lots of lovely ideas in this book, not only for scrapbooking. Good luck!

FIT

2007-08-06T21:32:00.000+01:00

F is for FIT. Keeping fit. I try and work out 3 times a week at this place. I've been this afternoon. I joined my local branch 18 months ago and I love it. It's like a gym but for women only, and for women who would never set foot in a gym under normal circumstances. Like me.

I've never enjoyed sports at all, because the truth is I'm not very good at them. I throw like a wuss. I can't catch. I can't run because my boobs are too big and anyway you get soooo out of breath...how do people run for more than a couple of minutes? I can't bear the thought of making a fool of myself in front of people so I always tried to avoid PE lessons at school if I could. I managed to get out of them for weeks in the first year before anyone realised, and then the rather butch PE teacher giving me a dressing down in front of everyone before marching me into the gym. Oh horrors, the wooden horse, the climbing rope...I wanted to die. The swimming pool was the worst nightmare, and the COMMUNAL SHOWERS. Girls were expected to walk in there NAKED after swimming lessons. I managed to avoid those too somehow. How could they put adolescent girls through such torture?!

I was always one of the last to get picked for the netball team or the rounders team. The cool sporty girls knew I'd be rubbish.

But then I discovered I wasn't bad at tennis so for a couple of summer terms my friend Beverly and I played whenever we could. I survived rounders, and hockey, and cross-country running. Sports days were a no-no. Ooh no, all those people watching my poor performance. But, I got by. Really, don't feel sorry for me, it's stuff like this that equips you for the real world. You just have to toughen up and get on with it. I had some good friends who still liked me in spite of my lack of sporting prowess. The only damage done was an aversion to communal changing rooms. I don't do those.

After leaving school I didn't take any regular exercise for many years. I tried Yoga for a few months. Too slow. Keep fit classes for a couple of years. I had time in those days. Then I stopped. Which was fine. My weight stayed constant, I could eat well, I was slim and had youth on my side. But something happens in your thirties. I started to gain weight. Another half-stone, well that was ok as long as I didn't go over 10 and a half stone. Another half -stone, that was ok as long as I didn't go over 11 stone. And so it goes. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I weigh now.... I do need to lose 2 stone. BUT because I religiously work out every week I'm pretty FIT. I'm a Female with a Fuller Figure. My muscles are Firm. I am strong.

These chaps are Fit too don't you think?

E is for Eight, and for Elizabeth.

2007-08-05T15:44:00.000+01:00

I've been tagged by the lovely Jo who wrote a very funny post about the 8 tag. And by sheer coincidence I've reached the letter E. Isn't that spooky? E is for eight. Wow. So I have to share 8 things about myself. Trouble is, I'm really not all that interesting. I've tried and tried to think of amusing or weird tales I can tell you about my life but nothing much springs to mind. So please feel free to leave now, I won't be offended. Or stay, but don't expect too much.

1. I'm left handed. Mum called me "cack-handed" because it was such a struggle to teach me to knit or sew. But we persevered. I well remember learning hand-writing at school, in those days it was with a fountain pen and of course as I wrote across the page I promptly smudged the ink. Because of this I developed a strange style of hand-writing, I hold the pen above the line of text. It looks awkward and it feels awkward but many lefties do it like this. I can't change this style no matter how hard I try. Mr Staten, a teacher in primary school, tried to encourage me to write in the conventional manner, but it's just not comfortable. I learnt that there's a left-handers' day on August 13th! Might have to check that out. Some facts about left-handedness:

More men than women are lefties.

Many think that Lefties have an advantage in fist fighting.

Left handed stroke victims recover faster than right handed stroke victims.

10% of the human population is left handed.

Some theorize that lefties are more likely to be creative geniuses (many geniuses throughout history were lefties Leonardo Da Vinci, Bobby Fisher a chess genius, wynton Marselis)

Left-handers were severely discriminated against during the 18th and 19th centuries and it was often "beaten out" of people.

In adulthood, left-handers were often shunned by society, resulting in fewer marrying and reproducing

As discrimination was reduced in the 20th century, the number of natural left-handers who stayed left-handed increased

The rising age of motherhood contributed as, statistically, older mothers are more likely to give birth to left-handed children

I'm pleased I was born in the 20th Century.

2. I'm a Piscean. I'm interested in Astrology, I believe that people born under the same star sign often share similar characteristics.

Pisceans are generally sensitive and sympathetic, imaginative, creative, generous and hospitable, loving and caring, romantic, artistic, shy and inherently mystical. I reckon these pretty much apply to me. But so do these.... Pisceans are weak and indecisive, temperamental and sensationalist, lethargic and depressive, over dependent and emotionally vulnerable, vague and careless.

I believe that your upbringing shapes your personality too, so although I might display some of these negative traits at times, I was brought up to get on with it and keep busy when times were tough. Having a few knocks in life too has made me less dependent on others and less vulnerable as I've matured. And I have too much to do to be lethargic for very long!

Astrology is a fascinating subject and if I meet someone new I often get my guidebook out to gain an insight into their personality type.

3. I was a middle child, I have an older brother and a younger brother. Being a middle child had it's moments, but as the only daughter Mum and I seemed to have a closer relationship than hers with the boys.

4. As a child I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up and to have four children. Neither of these came to fruition! But I sometimes wonder what if? I'm a First- Aider and don't particularly like being one, I don't want to have to deal with someone in a crisis...what if someone has a heart attack or something at work and I have to deal with it? I might do something wrong! I don't think I'd have made a good nurse.

5. I'm a bit of a daydreamer, I could lose myself for hours when I was growing up in fantasies. The most vivid was as a 12 year old when I fantasised that I lived with ALL of the Bay City Rollers. As there were so many of us we lived in my primary school which was turned into this fantastic home with everything we could want. It was all very innocent, I just loved them and wanted to live with them. And they ALL adored me. It seems to be a stage we go through, my friend confessed recently that she fantasised that Rod Stewart was her real Dad. So I felt slightly less weird about my strange fantasy.

6. I passed my driving test first time. But not until the age of 28. I had driving lessons at 18, and was due to take my test but I chickened out. I didn't like my driving instructor all that much and he shouted at me in the lesson before my test. I promptly cancelled the test and never spoke to him again. And didn't have the confidence to try again for 10 years. My Mum then learned to drive late in life, and I booked some lessons with her instructor, who was a nice man and made me believe I could do it. And I did. I don't remember feeling very nervous, I had a quiet confidence and I loved driving. Still do. I want to drive down through France and over this bridge. Spectacular isn't it?

7. I don't generally want to watch films more than once. With one exception. Moulin Rouge. I adore this film. I could watch it every week just to take in the excitement and costumes and sets and of course Ewan. I'm long overdue to watch it again , I must have a Moulin Rouge afternoon this summer.

8. I long to own a camper van. I want to have holidays and short breaks and visit all the places I want to visit, in a camper van. How cool to park up and make yourself a cup of tea and a spot of lunch. This dream might become a reality. Maybe next year, maybe the year after, but we WILL be camper van owners. Think positive thoughts Gilly.

E is also for Elizabeth, who kindly had a giveaway to celebrate her 50th post. She reached this number so quickly! I won second prize and was very excited to receive this lovely parcel.

Look at the gorgeous knitted corsage Elizabeth sent me. And, she included some buttons, some braid and ricrac, and one of her hand-knitted dishcloths! I'm delighted with everything, thankyou soooo much Elizabeth!! Bloggers are such kind and generous people, I'm so impressed by the good that is generated by blogging.

p.s oops forgot, I'm supposed to Tag 8 others. I don't think these Ladies have been tagged yet, feel free to join in or (or not). Faye, Marianne, Kim, Rachel, Angie, Elizabeth, Sarah,and Jools.

D is for Doll's House

2007-08-04T09:40:00.000+01:00

I couldn't let D pass by without mention of my Doll's House. I've owned one for about 10 years now and have had a lot of pleasure from decorating it and filling it with bought and home-made items. There's something about things in miniature that I love and millions of other people do too. It's a bit of a secret society...most of us tend to keep quiet about our hobby because people either "get it" and are delighted to hear all about what we've been up to in mini world or they look at you with pity! I imagine they think we "play" with our Dolls' Houses as children would. But that's not the appeal, an adult Doll's House is a showcase for lovely items that you've made yourself or bought from one of the many gifted and talented artisans out there. Look at these few websites for a taste of what's out there.

Valerie Claire Miniatures

Swan House Minatures

Doll's House fairs take place all year round, mostly in the UK, US and Australia. Did you know that? They are so inspiring, you do get the traders selling cheap imported furniture, which have their place and can be "kit bashed" to look fabulous. But you also find the independent makers who create some wonderful objects. Most minaturists, like me, have a mix of cheap stuff, home-made stuff and then a carefully placed beautifully made item from an artisan. Here are a few of my favourites....

I always treat myself to one of Just Anne and Bill's paintings, Anne is a fine artist and sells them at reasonable prices considering the work that goes into them (I think these were about £8 each). Unfortunately they don't have a Website, I'd probably buy more of their work if they did :)

Teeny Weeny Teddies and Friends is another favourite maker of mine. He hand-crafts tiny teddies, dolls, and soft toys, often using vintage materials and historically correct. I'm the owner of 3 of his toys so far, and I'm coveting many more. Again, no website sadly.

Valerie Anne Casson hand-crafts fine miniature ceramics, the detail is just incredible. I have this vase and also a nursery cup so far, I'm sure I'll treat myself to more of her work one day. Look at the tiny owl on the top of the jug, and the bunny rabbit on the side.

Angela and Lawrence St Leger hand-craft tiny automata and are always very popular at fairs. I have one, a lion tamer who actually puts his head in the lion's mouth! They are so intricate, I'd love more of these but they're not cheap.

I can't remember the maker of this Meccano set, but isn't it fantastic? And look at this stamp album, I love it.

I've neglected my Doll's house for the past year or so. She stands in my bedroom looking like a unloved home. She needs a good dust, and some maintenance should be carried out. The cats use her as a launchpad to get to the windowsill so have broken all the (plastic) iron railings that I took so much care over when installing them. But one day, I'm going to have a workroom. It might be when the kids leave home (long way off), or maybe if our hoped for house move happens. And then she'll be restored to her former glory. She'll have a complete revamp, in the vintage/French/Country/Shabby style we all love so much, I'm thinking....oooh can't wait.

ABC, it's easy as 123.....

2007-08-03T07:58:00.000+01:00

Well maybe not that easy...Bella Dia has started an "Encylopedia of Me Meme". The idea is you post each day during August starting with "A is for" and finishing with "Z is for", choosing a topic or subject that reflects your life. It's a fun way to get to know fellow bloggers and if you're short of inspiration for your blog, it gets the old brain cells working. So here goes, I've got 3 days to catch up with....I'm not sure this is a challenge I'll be able to finish but I'm joining in!

A is for Aubergine. Now this may seem a strange choice but it ties in nicely with my other challenge for the summer. Aubergines are my new favourite vegetable and this week I baked Tamasin's Moussaka. I loved it but I discovered that DH really isn't that keen on aubergines so it isn't a dish I'll repeat unless I invite someone round for lunch (which sounds like a good idea). Aren't aubergines plump and gorgeous?

Moussaka

3 aubergines, sliced 1 cm/1/2" thick

olive oil

2 onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

657g/1 1/2lb lamb mince

sea salt and black pepper

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tin chopped tomatoes

2-3 tbsp tomato paste

chopped flat leaf parsley

a few tbsp dry white wine

1 pint/600ml bechamel sauce

Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 180c/350f/Gas 4. Brush the aubergines with olive oil on both sides before putting them on a baking tray and roasting in the oven in batches or on two trays. They are ready when you can prick them with a fork and they are soft right the way through. They should take 10-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and saute the onions until soft. Add the garlic, saute for a few minutes then add the mince and fry until it's well browned and has completely lost it's raw look, about 5-10 minutes. Season and flavour with cinnamon before adding the chopped tomatoes, tomato pasts and chopped parsley. Stir well, add the white wine and simmer for 15 minutes. The meat will be cooked and will have absorbed most of the wine.

While the meat is simmering make the bechamel sauce. Add a touch of nutmeg.

Put alternate layers of aubergine and meat sauce in a deep baking dish, starting and ending with a layer of aubergines. Pour a thick layer of bechamel over the top; you may have some left over. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake in the oven for about 45 minutes or until it has browned on top. Serve with a simple salad.

Cook's notes: as always I improvised a little with this dish. I used half pork/half beef mince, and as I didn't have a bottle of wine open I used red wine vinegar. Also I didn't have fresh parsley so added some dried mixed herbs (you can tell I planned ahead ). It still tasted delicious. I haven't given you the recipe for Bechamel sauce as you'll find a recipe for this in any cookbook. And it will take too long to type.

B is for buttons

I've noticed how many bloggers like buttons. What is it about them? I love looking through a tin of buttons. I wonder about the history of vintage buttons...who wore the clothes they once adorned? How did they come to be in that tin I bought at the boot sale? I picked up this jar recently and am filling it with Mother of Pearl buttons as I acquire them. Mum gave me a bagful when I was in Cornwall last week to add to the collection. They're so tactile and nice to look at don't you think?

C is for cookbooks

Regular visitors will know I enjoy food, and cooking. I love cookbooks, I don't use them as much as I should but I enjoy just looking through them. There are always more that I'd like to buy. On my wish list is this one . Oh the pictures are just gorgeous...I can't resist having a peep if ever I see it in a book shop.

And this one.....

What's your favourite cookbook?

you know how you wait all year for your holiday and then it rains for most of the week and then the sun comes out THE DAY YOU RETURN HOME! Grrrrrrrr

2007-08-01T14:17:00.000+01:00

Back to reality, and we've had a typical British holiday, the weather as always is so unpredictable (who'd have thought we'd experience the wettest June and July ever following the hottest April ever?). Blimey it's been WET. It's shocking watching the news footage about the floods in the UK and to feel so helpless.

In spite of the rain we had a good week in Cornwall. It was lovely to spend some time with my Mum of course, and we did manage one whole day on the beach. Holywell Bay. Oh, and look at the pretty flowery tent in amongst the bright primary colours! We managed a couple of afternoons on Fistral Beach, Newquay, before being rained off.

We visited St. Ives on wet Monday, parking at Lellant and taking the coast train into the town. We had a browse around in the rain. I picked up this old book in Oxfam. Trouble for Mary, published 1960. I was attracted to it by the words inside the dust jacket: "Phillipa thought that her new friend Irene would be horrified at her tatter-demalion young sister Mary, with her passion for collection "old junk". But it turned out that Irene herself was a junk collector, and it was Phillipa who was horrified". Sounds like a good read!

We ate Cornish Pasties on the harbour, avoiding the killer seagulls :)

Really, I'm serious, we weren't sheltering from the rain under the umbrella. A seagull swooped down and tried to snatch the food out of Mum's hand!

For a spot of culture we visited The Tate St. Ives.
A nice way to pass an hour or so.

I love the colours of these houses overlooking the beach next to the Tate.

There are so many picturesque buildings to look at in St. Ives. This one's called the Dolls House.

On Wednesday the girls spent the day in town having nails done and other girly things. Mum and I met up with my Brother and Sister-in-Law for a pub lunch and stroll across the headland.

Very nice. We walked off the meal, saw some pretty wildflowers (they look like lace don't you think?) and 2 grass snakes!

I love these...

We spent time with P and K again on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, they were caravanning nearby and the teenagers loved getting together and hanging out on the beach. We adults got the Scrabble out, I haven't played for years but seem to have developed a fondness for the game.

We had a wet afternoon in Truro on Thursday. I popped into a couple of charity shops but didn't find anything.

We browsed the shops. Lakeland. Which. I. Love. I had to treat myself to some kitchen essentials of course.

We had a Cornish pasty for lunch (well you've got to do it haven't you, they're just not the same once you get home)

On wet Friday we had a trip out the the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, which we enjoyed and it was good to get out in the fresh air. We DIDN'T have a Cornish Pasty for lunch (although we would have had they been on offer)

So now I'm back wistfully looking at the sunshine and yearning to be by the sea.There's plenty for me to get on with at home, I just need to snap out of these post-holiday blues. Yesterday I caught up with my favourite blogs (284 posts in Bloglines to read, lovely). I want to mention some of them but that can be a post for another day. Enjoy your day my blog friends

You see the trouble with me...

2007-07-19T18:59:00.001+01:00

You see the trouble with me, when I have time off from work, is that I could quite easily spend the whole day reading blogs (and did precisely that yesterday!).Or watching daytime TV. Bargain hunt, Jeremy Kyle (yuk!!), Escape to the country et al. I have to MAKE myself get moving and do something.

I had good reason to spend all morning looking at blogs...well this blog in particular. It's just fabulous, I urge you to go take a look. Ree writes about life as the Mother of 4 living on a ranch in the US with her gorgeous Husband MM (Marlboro Man). She's a very witty Lady and it's a real education to learn about a different life. Takes you out of your comfort zone. I've learnt lots about photography (alongside Ree who taught herself as the blog developed). I recommend you read the archives to acquaint yourself with Ree and her life, be warned this will take a few days :)

I did have a cooking session though, with Shepherd's pie for dinner, Cheese, onion & mushroom tart for lunch and a sponge cake with buttercream, raspberry jam and fresh raspberries. Lousy photo...ooh, where's it all gone

None of the dishes are Tamasin's, these are Gladys's. My Mum Gladys taught me all I know about cooking at her side as I was growing up. And it's her birthday today. Happy Birthday Mum. This is us a few years ago on the London Eye. I'm going to Newquay, Cornwall, on Sunday, to spend some time with her, can't wait!

If any bloggers in the West Country fancy meeting up for a coffee, please do get in touch, it seems like a great opportunity. I'll bring my Mummy along so you'll be quite safe. She's very respectable you know. She's a church warden. And I'm a nice person, really.

Anyway, today I MADE myself get the sewing machine out after I'd done the ironing. It's all very well for you ladies with your workrooms and sheds and dining rooms to work in ;). I have to work at my dressing table. I guess it's an improvement on working at the dining table and having to pack everything up between sewing sessions.

I managed to produce this.

I used a candlewick bedspread and some fabric I found at a Boot sale. Weirdly we had the very same bedspread when we first met, my DH and I. It's come back to haunt me. I hated it back then, but now I'm looking at it in a different light.

I also made a little something for a swap I'm taking part in. Organised by Alison, I've got my swap ready to post off tomorrow as I'm off to Cornwall on Sunday. Did I tell you that?! I can't show you what I'm sending right now but I'm sure Sarah will in due course.

Gillian/Tamasin #3

2007-07-17T23:53:00.000+01:00

Ok , so for our evening meal yesterday I made Tamasin's

ROASTED AUBERGINE, GOAT'S CHEESE AND SMOKED PAPRIKA TART.

Tamasin says "this is a firecracker of a tart", it's "simply delicious" and"makes a great lunch or supper if you want something vegetarian but special". And I have to agree with her. Even better my fussy teenagers ate it and enjoyed it. This is one I'll be making again in the not too distant future....

1 aubergine

extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow pepper

1 goat's cheese

2 eggs and 2 extra yolks

about 200ml/8fl oz double cream and creme fraiche, half of each

1 small bunch coriander

1 small bunch mint

sea salt, black pepper and a pinch of smoked-pepper paprika such as Bart's picante pimento (available in Sainsbury's)

Heat oven to 190c/375c/Gas 5. Slice the aubergine into discs, brush with olive oil on both sides and place on a sheet of greaseproof or silicone paper. Halve, core and seed the yellow pepper, then cut into thin strips and place on the same baking tray. Sprinkle over a little olive oil and turn the peppers in it. Roast for about 20 minutes until the aubergine slices and peppers are tender. Set aside.

Make the shortcrust pastry, line a 9" tart tin, cover with greasproof paper larger than the size of the tart and a layer of baking beans. Bake the pastry shell blind for 15 minutes, remove the beans and greaseproof paper, prick the base with a fork and return to the oven for 5 minutes until lightly browned and cooked.

Crumble the goat's cheese. Whisk the eggs, yolks and creams then whisk in the chopped herbs. Season with salt and pepper.

As soon as the pastry shell is cooked, cover the base with slightly overlapping slices of aubergine, add spokes of yellow pepper, then scrape in the goat's cheese and distribute it evenly. Add the herby custard, then scatter over a pinch of smoked paprika.

Bake until the custard is browned and trembling (about 30 minutes). Leave to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Cook's notes: I made the pastry in the morning and left it in the fridge until I was ready to bake the tart. Or, you could use a bought tart case if time is tight. I also cooked off the aubergines and peppers at the same time so that it was quick and easy to put together later.

Sunshine on a rainy day....

2007-07-16T10:15:00.000+01:00

Given the wet weather we're experiencing in the UK I wasn't expecting to go to a Car Boot Sale this weekend. The forecast was for more rain and a severe weather warning for much of the country. When I woke at 7.30am the skies were grey...but the weatherman suggested we might get away with it in my area so I decided to drive over to Aylesbury after dropping off DH at work. The skies were looking darker and darker the nearer I got to Aylesbury...the buyers had already been allowed in (we usually have to queue until 10am prompt) so I think the owner was expecting a downpour too and wanted to make some money before we all left! But the clouds passed, the sun even tried to break through, it was warm, and I had a lovely couple of hours. Bliss!

Some of my finds: Lamp, £2. That'll be getting a coat of cream paint this week.

Vintage cream alarm clock, I love the sound of a ticking clock. 50p.

Lots of scrapbooking stuff..2 books, punches, scissors, plus emboidery threads and hoops...we negotiated on the price and I ending up paying £12 for the lot...but should be able to sell some bits on Ebay.

A large bag of blank cards, £1 the lot.

Jamie Oliver cookbook (like I need any more!), £1.50. White linen tablecloth, £1. Pastry cutters, 50p.

One stall was very exciting, a Japanese Lady working in this country was selling off her craft supplies...for £5 I bought loads of Japanese craft papers (I've never seen anything like them, we have such a limited range available in the UK don't we?) and Hello Kitty pencil cases and scarves.(Lucy's grabbed them already). I picked up some clothes too so it was a good day. Makes up for not going to a Boot sale for weeks :)

Gillian/Tamasin challenge #2

Yes, I know it's summer, but sometimes only a roast dinner and a hot pudding will do. Yesterday I made a baked rice pudding a la Tamasin. I could make this dish with my eyes closed but wanting to come out of my comfort zone I followed her recipe.

BAKED RICE PUDDING

75g/ 2 1/2oz short grain pudding rice

850ml-1.2 ltrs/ 1 1/2 - 2 pints full cream milk

30g/1oz butter

2 tbsp sugar

1 vanilla pod or 1 cinnamon stick

Put the rice with 600ml/1 pint milk and the remaining ingredients into a heatproof stoneware or glass dish. Leave in a gentle oven, 140c/275f/Gas 1 for 3 hours. After 1 hour stir up the pudding and add more milk to slacken the mixture. After 2 hours do the same thing again and if you like add some single cream. The butter and the cream are what form the delicious skin. Serve with a jug of double cream (and jam!). Gorg as Lucy would say.

Cook's notes:

You HAVE to use Jersey milk for this dish (only 5% fat), omit the cream if you

wish (but so much better with it)

VANILLA PODS ARE £1.99 EACH! BLIMEY. Treat yourself to a good quality vanilla extract instead (£3.99 from Sainsbury's), it'll last you a long time and tastes just fine in my opinion .

p.s apologies for the poor layout of this post, I've edited it three times now but blogger seems to be ignoring me!

Gillian/Tamasin # 1

2007-07-13T17:34:00.000+01:00

I think I'll post seperately about my cooking challenge, which is to try out new recipes from this book.

I got off to good start, making Lucy and myself Oeufs En Cocotte for brunch one Saturday...but do you think I can find the photos?! Grrr...so now we're going to have to eat them again tomorrow, and I'll tell you all about it :)

Last Sunday I made a beef stew and herby dumplings with roast potatoes and broccoli. Not a Tamsin recipe, I've only finished work today so haven't been able to apply myself to the challenge yet.....this was cooked just as Mum taught me.

BUT I did make Tamsin's Strawberry Ice Cream for pudding. Better than you know what.

STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

225g/8oz strawberries

110g/4oz icing sugar

juice of half a lemon and half an orange

300ml/10fl oz double cream

Blitz the strawberries in a food processor (or with potato masher), then put them through a nylon sieve, pushing through as much of the pulp as you can. Stir in the suger and the lemon and orange juice.

Whisk the cream until it holds in soft folds and fold the strawberry mixture into it. Churn in an Ice cream maker if you have one and finish in the freezer in it's pail.

Or, freeze in a sealable plastic container. Every 30 minutes remove and whisk the ice cream to stop crystals forming and spoiling the smooth, velvety texture. When the ice cream has set enough for it to be difficult to whisk, just leave it in the freezer until it has set completely.

Cook's notes

If using the freezer method you should only have to whisk about 4 times. We ~~didn't~~ couldn't wait for it to set completely, it's delicious while still slightly soft!

I Capture the Castle

2007-07-13T16:39:00.000+01:00

I loved this film! Kim recommended the book which I read and enjoyed, and the film "captured" the mood perfectly for me. I laughed at the scene where Topaz dyed everything green. I felt for Cassandra suffering her teenage angst. I drooled over the vintage wares. Miss Blossom I adore. Really, I truly adore mannequins, after seeing one in the Laura Ashley catalogue as a display item. There followed weeks of watching them sell on Ebay for over £200 in some cases. I now have three. This is my favourite, bought at a Car boot sale. You can imagine how my heart was pounding when I spotted it. I nonchalanty asked how much and almost snatched it from the stall when the Lady said she was hoping for £10.

Mrs Blue stands next to my bed. Somehow I won her on Ebay for £20. The photo wasn't very good and she looked a bit naff so maybe other bidders overlooked her beauty.

She co-ordinates very well with the colour scheme.

This modern miss stands in Lucy's bedroom...she models our clothes when we're selling on Ebay

The scene with Cassandra and her Father when he breaks down and cries made me cry too. Sad Father/Daughter films always get to me. In The Railway Children where Bobby and her Father are reunited , "Daddy, my Daddy" does it every time. I know it's because my own Father chose to be absent from my life and as a child I dreamed of rushing into his arms when he came back to us. I'm blessed with my own family now and as a parent I find it difficult to understand how anyone can just walk away from their children. Phew that's a bit heavy but I'm hitting the Publish button...now!

Julie/Julia/Gillian/Tamasin/Sofa/Castle

2007-06-30T06:40:00.000+01:00

I was thinking this week about the first blog I ever came across, ooh about 2 years ago I guess. The Daily Mail reviewed this book and I bought it and read it and checked out her blog. It was a fascinating idea and such a success for the author.

"Pushing thirty, living in a rundown apartment in Queens and working at a dead-end secretarial job, Julie Powell is, in a word, stuck. In her desperate search for an escape, she comes up instead with The Project - a deranged assignment, to take her mother's dog-eared copy of Julia Child's 1961 classic "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and cook all 524 recipes, in the span of one year. At first she thinks it will be easy. But as she moves from the smooth sailing of Potage Parmentier into the obscure culinary backwaters of calves' brains, she realizes there's more to Mastering the Art of French Cooking than meets the eye. For every triumphant Bifteck Saute au Beurre there is a disastrously soupy Creme Plombieres. Still, with Julia's stern warble steady in her ear, Julie carries on. She haunts the city's butchers buying kidneys and sweetbreads, whilst her husband endures the crying fits and midnight dinners. Together they discover the importance of blanching bacon, the trick to extracting marrow from bone, and the (kinky) thrills of eating liver. And somewhere along the line she realizes something has changed. With spectacular humour and a dash of hysteria, she begins to master the fine art Julia has really always been about - the art of living with gusto. From the Back Cover`Sassy, quirky and disarmingly honest' Marie Claire
`Restore[s] your faith in eating for pleasure' Vogue
`A gem of a book ... both hilarious and touching' Glamour
`What lies at the heart is the power of food to transform the everyday act of eating into a complex and potentially life-changing experience' Guardian Review
`An entertaining romp portraying the joys and frustrations familiar to any ambitious domestic cook' Sunday Times"

Having been so busy for the last few weeks, my own culinary efforts have been pretty c..p really. I work in catering and produce well cooked meals every day at work, but at home our meals have become very predictable and at times non-existent. Roast beef or chicken on Sundays, chicken curry on Saturdays, jacket potatoes or sausages and mash or macaroni cheese or shepherd's pie during the week....blah blah blah.

I'm looking forward to having time off during the summer and in particular having time to try some new recipes and revive our taste buds.

So I've set myself a challenge...the Gillian/Tamasin project! My favourite and most useful cookboook is Tamasin Day-Lewis's Kitchen Bible which is very inspiring and full of recipes I want to try. So this summer and beyond I'm going to actually USE a cookery book instead of glancing tenderly at my collection and treating it as bedtime reading :)

The plan is to try at least a couple of new recipes each week, and I'll share them with you (successful or not).

But not today. I had a rare night out with my girlies from work last night so there won't be much activity in this house today once the essential housework stuff is done....ooh no, the sofa is beckoning for the afternoon watching this .

The lovely Kim recommended the book as one of her favourites from childhood. I've just finished it, a poignant book and it conjures up some delightful images. I followed the advice and read the book first, now I can't wait to see the novel brought to life.

Have a good Saturday everyone.

Hello, hello, it's good to be back, good to be back....

2007-06-23T08:35:00.000+01:00

I can't believe almost a month has passed since I last posted, how time flies. Work has taken over somewhat, not only the 9-5 variety but a number of weekend functions...I'm exhausted but have earned some holiday pocket money so it's been worth all the hard work!

The most exciting event was a Bollywood themed summer Ball, I'd like to share some photos with you because the evening was fantastic and the decorations were just fabulous....the dining room ......

Beautiful flowers.

The drawing room was transformed into a "Bedouin tent". With a backdrop of the Taj Mahal for guests to have their pictures taken in front of...we of course had to try it out first in the interests of research. Frances, our chef. Events like this make my job so enjoyable.

Other than that I've had very little time for anything crafty, creative or thrifty :(

I did find time to make some onion chutney one Saturday using my bargain preserving pan. I had this vision of wafting around handing out jars to a few friends and sending a jar to my Mum....but after an hour or so simmering I filled just 3 jars! Hmm, think I need to increase the quantities (or buy Tesco Finest onion chutney next time). It's delicious chutney though, we couldn't wait for it to mature for 6 weeks as per the recipe. Lovely in a cheese or ham sandwich.

I have fitted in a couple of car boot sales, here's what I picked up. These vintage patterns (£1 the lot), I've got some ideas in my head to make cards using the images. A few magazines and a Vintage Chic book (50p), lots of inspiration here. 2 pretty plant pots, 50p each.

And these vintage magazines, all dated October 11th 1947. I wonder what the story behind them is? Five magazines bought on the same day. Maybe to mark the birth of a baby?

Or perhaps someone took them as a gift for a hospital patient? The mags are filled with wonderful images and features, I'm not sure whether to keep them as they are or cut them up to use for card-making.

I've been coveting a new camera for a while now to carry around in my handbag in case I see a blog photo opportunity ;)

We've had our Nikon Coolpix 4300 for a few years, and I've been very pleased with the results. But it's the family camera andI can't be greedy and keep it for myself. The lovely Alicia recommended the Canon powershot A80 and I've been watching it on Ebay for some months....there are always several on offer and second-hand ones usually sell for £45-£60. I was delighted to win one for the bargain price of £32.50 last week (it was described as having a minor fault when using flash photography in a very dark room...not something I do very often!). I'm still experimenting with it, I know from Alicia's blog what good pics it can take but I need to practice a bit yet and make use of the different features. Here's a selection of pics we've taken this week, just for fun.

My clever boy Jack who's passed his first year's plastering course at college with distinction. Well done Son!

I might have neglected my own blog but I've visited my favourite blogs every day of course. I haven't always had time to leave a comment so hello fellow bloggers, you're doing a grand job!

LBC

2007-05-31T09:36:00.000+01:00

I listen to LBC 97.3 most of the time unless I'm in the mood for music. London's Biggest Conversation. You don't need to live in London, you can hear it on DAB radio if you have one. Or on the Internet. They have listeners all over the world. And the topics discussed are usually relevant to everyone wherever you live.

I love Nick Ferrari's 7am-10am breakfast show....Nick for Prime Minister! He's outspoken but has such commonsense. Why can't all politicians be like him?

James O Brien, 10am, is very entertaining, he comes up with all sorts of weird and wonderful subjects.

I adore Jenny Eclair, the original Grumpy Old Woman, Saturday mornings 10am (although she's away on tour at the moment), like having a natter with your friend over coffee.

Loose woman Carole McGiffin (Sunday mornings 10am) is so funny, she's your slightly naughty friend who cheers you up or you can have a good moan with.

Steve Allen (5am-7am) is outrageous! He's scathing about the whole celebrity culture, I don't know how he gets away with some of his bitching!

Yesterday the question was asked "Which person has enriched or improved our lives?"

Some names put forward were.....

Florence Nightingale .....

Bill Gates ......

Thomas Crapper ......

My personal nominations would include Joseph Lister

Emmeline Pankhurst

Edwin Chadwick
Isambard Kingdom Brunel Who would be on your list?

p.s. I have no connection with LBC in any way! (other than being a huge fan)

What to do first on a wet Wednesday morning.....?

2007-05-30T10:30:00.000+01:00

With the wet weather still continuing I'm working through my TO DO list for the week .....back to work on Saturday :(

Today I'm painting this, bought for £15 from the local junk shop. I've done the ironing, will give the kitchen a bit of a spring clean and once the paint is dry I'll get the dressing table in place in my bedroom. THEN I can get on with some sewing and crafting, two whole days worth I hope! Pics to follow.

I had a lovely day yesterday, Lucy and I went shopping. She was only expecting school trousers, I was in a reckless mood so treated her to lots of other clothes too. Not something that happens very often and I love surprising her. We had lunch too, Pizza Express, I'm not generally a fan of Pizza but it was yummy...I might even make my own Pizza this week.

We called into Primark, great for those of us on a budget, but no good for me usually, their clothes aren't cut well for the larger woman....
It can be like a Jumble sale in Primark...it was heaving yesterday, people grabbing baskets full of clothes! I did pick up two pairs of black trousers for £5 each, ideal for work and not a bad fit. I was pleased to see Primark are now using recycled brown paper carrier bags, goes a little way to compensate for the millions of clothes they transport from China....

We tried on clothes all afternoon, I find clothes shopping difficult because I can see in my mind how I'd like to look, then I try on these pretty smocky tops that look great on others but on me just look ridiculous! I'm at that difficult age, 46, not young but not old. I don't know what I should be wearing. I can't dress like an 18 year old but I'm not ready to dress like the more mature woman yet!
I love jeans, t-shirts,my style is casual, but maybe I need to change my style as I get older. How do you dress? What are your favourite shops?

I must mention some lovely blogs I've come across recently, I'll be adding them to my list on the left today. These very new blogs...you might want to pop over and take a look, give them a bit of encouragement.

First up Hilda May, read all about life in Cornwall.
Hope and Faith see her lovely sewing and crafty things.
Vintage Heaven lives in the Cotswolds, loves Vintage, thrifting, fabric, lots of loveliness here.
Sophie Honeysuckle's English Decor Vintage gorgeousness.
Making good use thrifty, woolly, crafty inspiration.

The following are new blogs to me but you may have already discovered them. Well worth a visit, very inspiring all of them.
Cupcakes at Home
Domesticali
French Knots
Lazy Lol
So tread softly
The Brocante Home chronicles
The scent of water
Willow House
Little cotton rabbits
Jamjar
Picperfics blogspot

Have a good day everyone.

Rainy days and Mondays...

2007-05-28T12:07:00.000+01:00

Unlike the words of the song, rainy days and Mondays don't always get me down. I can potter about the house being domestic and creative without feeling I should be out in the sunshine. And don't you find that writing a blog makes you take notice of the little things in life? I look at everyday happenings around the house and see a photo opportunity, or a good subject for my next post.

As we're experiencing one of the wettest Bank Holidays for many years we've stayed in enjoying simple pleasures.

Lazing around while Alice the cat uses you as a cushion.

Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding.

With cauliflower cheese of course.Followed by strawberry Pavlova, our favourite dessert at the moment (so easy to put together). We soon polished it off. After a glass or two of this I made friends with the sofa for the evening. I really should get on with some things today...but the sofa is beckoning again!

If he can do it so can I ;)

Lucy took all photographs for this post, she spent half an hour wandering around the house clicking away. She's now emptying out the piggy bank getting some money together for Friday when she's going up to London with her friends for a look around (first time for her, they'll be fine, I know they'll be fine....)

I hope you're all enjoying a relaxing day doing things you want to do. The housework can wait!

Money in her pocket

2007-05-20T06:25:00.000+01:00

Following on from some of the comments left on my last post, and never one to pass up an opportunity to earn some extra pocket money, the daughter has offered her services to anyone who wants a header designed for their blog.

She can do this via email, for you to put on your blog yourself, and can even put it on to your blog for you if you're technically challenged like me :) . She can put a new background on too if you want.

You'd have to trust her to do this but trust me you can trust us.

Email me if you're interested.

Incidentally, did you know?

The amount of pocket money given to UK children has risen by four times the rate of inflation, a study suggests.
Youngsters receive an average of £8.37 a week - a rise of 7% on last year - according to the Halifax bank.
The research indicates about two thirds of all seven to 16 year olds get pocket money, with those in Wales receiving the most - an average £13.51 a week.
Those in the South West are given the lowest - £4.87 - while in Yorkshire and the Humber the average is £5.08.
In the east of England, the survey suggests the figure is only slightly higher, at £5.39 a week.

I'm up early, having a cup of tea, 10 minutes on the PC before heading off to the Boot sales. Might post again later!

My baby's a superstar

2007-05-16T18:29:00.000+01:00

Wow look what my clever daughter did....what do you think of my new header?!!!

She put together photos I've taken of things around the house and made this collage in about 10 minutes flat. Her fingers were on fire she worked so quickly. This is a 14 year old..... :)

I asked "where did you learn to do this?".

"Oh I taught myself" she replied casually.

"What didn't you learnt this at school?" I said in shock.

"No, it's easy, I just worked it out for myself" she said.

I'm impressed. She used Paintshop Pro if you're curious. The girl's a genius.

p.s. Do we keep the green background or should it be white? I'm not sure about it, can you read everything clearly? Comments welcome.

What lies beneath

2007-05-14T20:15:00.000+01:00

No time for blogging this week. I have a good excuse, I was working at the weekend...not too difficult when you work at a place like this, high up on the hill.

Once we'd fed our 90 guests and they were dancing to the live band, the wine was stocked up, and the coffees set up, my team and I sat down to enjoy our own meal for half an hour. Along with a cold beer.

On the menu:

Lamb Tagine with couscous
Salmon with balsamic vinegar dressing
Ricotta cheese and spinach quiche
Roasted mediterranean vegetables
Hot new potatoes
Green salad

Followed by chocolate cheesecake and fresh fruit salad.

Delicious! One of the perks of catering for parties and events!

Refreshed, we were ready to start work again clearing up after the party and putting the school back to rights for Monday morning.

We often have interesting little chats when we sit down together, and this night was no exception. One of my colleagues is obsessed with cleaning. We were chatting about what we'd beeen doing before coming to work that day and she said she'd pulled all her beds out and vacuumed underneath them. And she does this EVERY WEEK. She spends much of her spare time cleaning to a very high standard and finds it impossible to sit down and relax. I tell her she needs a hobby! This is a woman who's extremely skilled at sewing, knows how to crochet, and yet doesn't do it for pleasure. Her children are teenagers now, it's time for HER for the first time in her life. We're working on her! Feeling like the great unwashed (can't remember the last time I vacuumed underneath my bed) I reminded myself of my Mummy's motto when I was growing up.....

Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy. ~Author Unknown

I found some more quotes tonight all of which reflect my attitude towards housework these days :)

Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don't do it. ~Author Unknown

A clean house is the sign of a boring person. ~Author
Unknown

If the shelves are dusty and the pots don't shine,
it's because I have better things to do with my time.
~Author Unknown

I felt much better until I spoke to my Mum yesterday. As it was a rainy day, what did she decide to do on Saturday? Pull her bed out and vacuum beneath it!!! Oo er....perhaps I need to add that chore to my TO DO list for the half-term holiday??

Here's what my bed looks like underneath.Look at the dust!

I'm a disgrace. What lies beneath your bed?

Button giveaways ready to go. Posting tomorrow Ladies!

And the lucky winners are....

2007-05-09T19:23:00.000+01:00

So, a couple of days late, the grand button giveaway draw has taken place tonight.

My able assistant obliged by pulling 6 names out of the hat.

And the lucky six winners are:

Wendy

Victoria

Kim

Betty

Janice (No blog)

Charlotte

Congratulations Ladies! I'll need your addresses, please email them to me and I'll get the parcels sent off asap! (Wendy I have your address)

"Like a virgin, tagged for the very first time"

2007-05-08T18:41:00.000+01:00

Ooh how exciting, I've been tagged by Mary to list 7 weird things about myself.
Now I had to think about this for a couple of days....how do you define what's weird and what's quite normal? But I've managed to come up with the goods anyway.

Husband, when I asked him what he thought was weird about me,commented "ohhh no, I'm not going there, dangerous ground". Not very helpful. When pushed he said that "I wouldn't believe him when he tells me I snore, I insist that I don't, but how would I know as I'm asleep, and he's the one that has to listen to it!".

I'm not sure that counts as weird.

7 weird things about me:

1) I believe I have slight OCD (OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER). For example, when I park the car, I lock it with the remote, walk a few yards, turn around, unlock it, and re-lock, just to be sure I locked it in the first place. When I go to bed, if I'm alone because Husband's working, I always have to get up again and double-check that I've locked the doors even though I know I've locked them.

2)I have to take a shopping list when I go food shopping, but almost without fail I lose the list before I've started...I hunt in my bag, my pockets, my purse...it's nowhere to be found. I shop without the list, but you can bet when I get home it turns up and I usually have everything on it! So why did I need it in the first place?

3) My good friend Mandy, who I first met when I was 34, left home when she was 16 and rented a room in a house nearby. It turns out this was my old family home, which I'd moved out of the year before to live with my then boyfriend. My Brother had taken over tenancy of the house after my Mother re-married and I'd left. The room Mandy rented was my old bedroom...spooky yes? She lived there for a year or so, I never met her during that time but years later we became friends when our children went to the same school.

4)I'm left handed, but find myself doing random tasks with my right-hand.

5) I love cold or luke-warm food. I eat cold Chinese or Indian takeaways from the fridge in the morning. I leave my tea or coffee to cool down before drinking them. I don't enjoy a meal if it's too hot, you can't taste the flavours as well.

6) I can't bear to see photographs of myself, we have a digital camera so I look through the pics and delete every one that has me in them. I can't believe I look like that, I look huge! I know I'm a large lady, but I don't look so bad in the mirror... which one tells the truth, the camera or the mirror?
There are a couple of me on my PC which I've deemed are acceptable...and I use them whenever I need a photograph. I need to update them but how to get a flattering picture?

7) I love Sarah Beeny and I want her to be my friend. She's my kind of woman, just gets on with it, great style, I love her. So does my Husband. But probably for different reasons!. He says I'm a bit like her which is a huge compliment as I want to be like her.

WATCH SARAH TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY, CHANNEL 4, 8PM

I've got to tag 4 people now;

The cottage on the hill

Vintage Heaven

Shropshire Girl

Angel Jem's City Cottage

Chosen at random, they don't seem to have been tagged yet so time they were :)

Rambling

2007-05-04T22:21:00.000+01:00

This could be a bit of a rambling, meandering sort of post....I've got nothing very exciting to say but felt like a little natter.

On Thursday cousin Julie and I had our second Stich & Bitch evening, continuing with our Granny squares. Progress is very slow, I'm torn between crocheting and blogging and can't do both..... but half-term is coming up, I've got the week off (yippee!!) and I'll be able to do some creative stuff, such as.....

Make bag maybe using this as a lining? Picked it up at the boot sale today, £1.

I've noticed other bloggers use candlewick bedspreads for making all sorts of things, it looks really effective.

Paint this bargain,courtesy of my friend Frances who spotted it in the local junk shop. She knows I love Louis style furniture and as she's a regular customer paid only £15! It's to go in my bedroom, and will serve as a worktable. I don't have workspace anywhere else in this small house so have to improvise a bit :)

A few other things I bought at the boot sale today:
more vintage sewing stuff

vintage fabric, 50p...I see a tea towel coming on

a vintage leather bound photo album, £1(thought I'd use it as a scrapbook)

an Ice cream maker, £2.50. I've wanted one of these for a long time.

The bowl's in the freezer, Strawberry Ice Cream is on the menu for tomorrow...yummy!

Friday was Husband's birthday, I baked a cake from the book that Wendy sent me in the recent bookmark swap.

It's just divine! A sticky dense ginger cake, I can highly recommend it.

STICKY GINGER CAKE WITH GINGER FUDGE ICING

You can make the cake a couple of days in advance, wrap well, then ice on the day of serving.

INGREDIENTS

200g/8oz unsalted butter, diced, plue extra for greasing
175g/6oz molasses sugar
3 tbsp black treacle
150ml/1/4 pt milk
2 large eggs, beaten
4 pieces stem ginger, drained from their syrup, chopped
300g/10oz self-raising flour
1 tbsp ground ginger

FOR THE ICING
4 tbsp ginger syrup, drained from the jar
300g/10oz golden icing suger, sifted
140g/5oz unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp lemon juice

METHOD

1.Heat oven to 160c/fan 140c/gas 3. Butter and line the base of a 23cm/9" round cake tin. Gently melt the butter, sugar and treacle; cool briefly, then stir in the milk. Beat in the eggs and add the chopped stem ginger. Sift the flour, ground ginger and a pinch of salt into the warm mixture. Combine thoroughly.

2.Spoon the cake mixture into the tin adn level the surface. Bake for 30-35 mins or until firm and risen. Cool in the tin for an hour, then transfer to a wire rack.

3. Skewer the top of the cooled cake all over, then pour 2 tbsp of the syrup over. Beat together the icing sugar, butter, lemon juice and the remaining ginger syrup, and spread over the cake.

Tomorrow, 7th May, is the closing date for my button giveaway. Leave a comment before 8pm if you'd like to be included in the draw. Good luck!