Friday

This is the usual scene on Friday mornings as I return from the shops. Bags and bags of shopping - and these are just the things I can't get when we do our big shop at the supermarket. At least the bags are cheery and never fail to provoke comment from other shoppers or assistants in the shops. This morning's comment was from a pretty young lady selling copies of The Big Issue and yes, she was right, they are pretty. It sounds very silly but they do make the shopping trip a little more enjoyable. Fridays usually follow a particular pattern and I can't wait to get home and put the kettle on and sit down for a few quiet moments with a magazine before the shopping is put away.


I couldn't resist buying these pretty little lights today and think they look mighty fine wrapped around the wirework heart on the kitchen door. The only problem is that it does look a bit Christmassy - and the C word isn't allowed around here until December. Never mind, they make the kitchen feel cosy and I like cosy.

However, last Friday didn't follow this familiar pattern - I went somewhere posh! Can you remember my post about a special day in the spring when I spent a lovely day with friends at Coughton Court? Well, we've sort of had our Christmas outing early! None of us enjoy the usual work dos at this time of year. Restaurants overbook, there are large, rowdy crowds and the food is usually inedible. We decided that we deserved to be thoroughly spoiled and we certainly were - here at Brockencote Hall. Sadly, it wasn't snowing whilst we were there


it looked more like this


We all put our glad rags on. Do you like my velvet coat? It was it's first outing and I really enjoyed wearing it.

We were looked after so well and felt so pampered, no wonder this Friday feels very routine. I've got a couple of thank yous to make today. Firstly to Vicki at Anglesey Allsorts for the wonderful buttons and lace she sent me.

And also to Hannah at Lou Lou Loves Vintage for her lovely giveaway. The chocolate coins didn't last long Hannah - but I'm still enjoying the other things!

No Time For Blogging

I can't believe that I haven't had time to blog at all during October. I think that it has been a combination of decorating, half-term(not getting to the computer) and Josh being ill. I think that I've just about got rid of the dust after the kitchen refit and I feel ready to go again. Blogging wise that is. I still can't comprehend the disruption caused by re-fitting such a tiny space but at last I seem to have conquered the dust and hopefully I'm back now and can spend more time with my lovely bloggers. The kitchen is now complete, except that I haven't chosen a blind for the window yet. I am trying to be tidy but I know that the clutter and charity shop finds will find their way back in there but I just can't cope with minimalism. There is no particular theme for my post today, so I'll just show you a few things we've been upto. Well, there was a bit of baking over half-term week.



There were a few decorations for Halloween.




I've started collecting the Christmas editions of my favourite magazines.(Yes, I am still a magazineaholic).



I've also been very naughty and bought some new cookery books. (I think I ought to own up to the fact I am a bookaholic). I do love watching Hugh FW and believe he's back on t.v. on Thursday evening with a new River Cottage series - pure comfort t.v. for me.



Today, I'm cosying up in front of the fire



enjoying using my new favourite mug. (Yes, I am a mugaholic too). Perhaps I ought to show you my collection one day!


This Saturday was an incredibly important one for Mr F. His football team reached the 1st Round of the F.A Cup for the first time in their 133 year history. Not only that but it was a home tie against the mighty Walsall, five divisions above us.



However, a trip to Wembley is not to be this year, as we lost the game 1-0. Perhaps next year will be The Glassboys turn for glory. Oh, yes and Mr F. was able to buy a commemorative mug for the occasion. I'm sure you'll be disappointed to know that I couldn't photograph it today as it is sitting proudly in his lunchbox as a reminder of Stour's glorious cup run!

A Horrid Few Weeks....and an Apology

It's been a disrupted few weeks here in the Funky House. I just haven't had the time or the inclination to blog and in all the hoo haa and yukiness going on I forgot to post the result of the giveaway I did earlier in the summer - I expect everyone has forgotten about it now! Please accept this virtual bunch of sunflowers as an apology to you all. To choose a winner I did my usual scientific thing of chucking all the names in a hat and this time pulled out Steph's name at Curlew Country. I'll be in touch with you Steph to get your details.



The reason for all the trouble at home was because we had some work done on the kitchen. Everything is o.k. now and we are getting back into some kind of order but we have had so much trouble with deliveries, things being measured wrongly, rude incompetent staff at a certain DIY store that it really has been a dificult few weeks to get through and my mind has certainly been woollier than normal (and that's pretty woolly). At least we have had a gorgeous September and have been able to enjoy the last of the summer flowers




as well as some gorgeous sunsets.





I have also managed to make some damson gin. Last year I missed out on making this delicious winter warmer because there were just no damsons on the trees. Luckily, this year we were able to obtain some from my Mom-in-Law's neighbour. It will be ready by December and I shall look forward to sipping it as I'm watching something suitably cosy on the long winter evenings in front of the t.v. I am hoping for another series of Lark Rise to Candleford and until then I'm settling myself into the new series of 'Strictly', deciding who will be my favourites for this series.







Well, I think that's enough for today as I 'm trying to find my way back into blogging gently. I think this has been a rambly post and hasn't made much sense.....but I think that's just a sign of my messy brain at the moment. Oh, before I go, here's a peek at the new, unfinished kitchen.

Guess Where I've Been

Things I love about Cornwall.....


Pretty Cottages.



Boats and Gigs






The Eden Project





Trips along the Helford


Did I mention the shops?




Historic places.



Sandy beaches that stretch on forever.



Pebbles that make the most wonderful sound beneath your feet.




Tall ships



Caravans at Roskilly's.




Even these noisy, cheeky things.



And of course...this

The Holiday I Forgot

I was tidying up my Picasa files this morning when I realised that I'd forgottten to post the last pictures of our holiday in Cumbria in May this year. If I don't do it now, I'll have another stash to show you from Cornwall in a few weeks time. One of the places I really wanted to visit was Blackwell, an arts and crafts house overlooking Winderemere. When we visited it was a dull misty morning and I don't think shows the house's exterior looking its best. Of course I couldn't take pictures inside the house - but for anyone who likes the William Morris or arts and crafts designs - you would love this.




Have a look here for some interior shots of the house http://www.blackwell.org.uk/visitor-information-0 .



Josh, dearly wanted a boat trip and he chose Coniston for that. I was bit disappointed by the village itself......it was a bit touristy, but we did find a few nice views to share with you.





Looking for somewhere interesting to take your dog?



We were lucky to have a trip on Gondola - the boat owned by The National Trust. Here she is dressed in her fashionable Union flags. Doesn't she look gorgeous?









Our last day in Cumbria meant a trip to our favourite, the loveliest of the larger lakes - Ullswater. It is always so beautiful here. That day was sunny with the sun to warm us and make us feel drowsy after our picnic but it I've seen it look equally as beautiful with the clouds rolling among the fells and the rain blowing into our faces as we climbed higher and higher into mystical fells.





An afternoon drive through lanes of rugged dry-stone walls



led us to Ambleside. Again, a bit too touristy for my tastes but we did enjoy seeing this old vehicle brightening up the scenery





Then it was back to our cottage, to spend our last cosy evening and look forward to our next visit.

Bathroom Reveal & Mr Funky's Giveaway

Mr Funky finished painting the bathroom yesterday and I've spent part of this morning titivating and tweaking and probably will be titivating and tweaking all week as I decide exactly where everything should go.






Because the room is so small it has been very difficult to take photos to show it and I'm not really satisfied with my efforts. Nevermind, I've had a go. I'm just so relieved to see the back of all that peach that was in there previously.





There isn't really too much to say about such a very tiny space, so come and have a visual tour with me instead.


















Look carefully and you'll see me and camera lens!









Thanks for joining me on the tour. Now, onto Mr Funky's giveaway. Mr F went shopping alone a week or two ago and came home with the soaps pictured above, as well as a set of handbag sized tubes of handcream. Lovley man that he is he also bought a set for you



...........well one of you at least. If you'd like these for yourself just leave a comment on this post and Mr F will pick a name from the hat to find the winner. I'll leave this giveaway open for the whole of August. I know many people are taking holidays and I'm finding it difficult to get computer time as Master Funky and teenage friends fill the spare bedroom in an attempt to take over the world via X-Box Live. I'll name the winner at the beginning of September, though I do hope to be blogging sporadically during August.

Refuge

Oh I've missed being here the past couple of weeks. There has been dirt and chaos everywhere! Never mind, all that remains to do in the bathroom is the electrical work and then we can paint and most importantly I can titivate. I'm not sure of the correct spelling of titivate - but I like titivating when I get chance and there hasn't been the opportunity to do that in the past few weeks. The guys doing the work in the bathroom have been great workers and also made themselves at home. Their first job in the morning was to boil the kettle ready for coffee!



My refuge from all the mess has been my little shed at the bottom of the garden where I've been able to sit and read my magazines and my latest book 'the Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - It's one of those books you really really don't want to put down and I know I'll really feel bereft when it's finished. A couple of weeks ago I discovered a great new shop in a local village called 'Talulah & Blouwsie' - I nearly fainted with excitement and pleasure - in fact I had to go in twice just to take it all in. Next time I go I might pluck up courage to ask if I can take a few photos. It was crammed full of vintage loveliness, old and new items that made me wish I could take you all shopping with me. There was jewellery, French storage jars, vintage clothing, linens and more - it was heaven on earth. I was very controlled (well I did have Mr Funky with me) and bought just the one item - this pretty, sparkly, girly, crystal necklace.


I couldn't put it down for days. I unwrapped it from it's pink spotted tissue paper, wrapped it back up again, decided I needed to look at it lovingly and unwrapped it yet again. Just look at all the pretttiness going on with the light reflecting all those colours. Mom-in-Law got to hear about my excitement for this wonderful shop and ecstay of ecstacies - she produced all of this gorgeousness for me. This time, a double row of crystals

and three sets of pearls, which belonged to Mr Funky's grandmas and an aunt.

There was also this piece which looks very modern I think but is definitely a vintage necklace. I am so lucky and I can't wait to wear them. I love the ones from my new favourite shop but don't you think it's even better to make use of something that a member of the family has treasured?