One Hundred

It slipped by, I didn't even realise that it was on the horizon. But my last post was my one hundredth. It's probably taken me a long time to get there, compared to other more prolific bloggers my ouput is sporadic and unorganised. There have been times when I've thought about giving up.



Indeed, within the past few days I've read another blog where the blog owner made a calculated attempt to publicly punish someone who had left a comment she didn't like and there are times (infrequently) when I wonder why I continue to blog and to read others words.



Well, for a start off, I'm very nosy. I love seeing inside other people's homes, pinching design ideas, trying out recipes that others use regularly and that have  proven successful. No risk if you like.
I do love sharing the wonderful places that you all visit, the gardens that make you feel that you've arrived in heaven, your latest read and that vintage tea set you couldn't resist buying from the local charity shop. I've had many a chuckle at photographs that show the complete devastation in teenagers bedrooms, being cheered by the fact that I'm not the only mother who dreads walking into her son's room. So this is why I continue to blog - I enjoy sharing your lives, the funny things you say, the kind comments you make and the talents you display. So at the end of this post I'm having a give away to celebrate 100 posts and say thank you to you wonderful bloggers.



Last Sunday we had a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon to watch The Tempest. It was my first visit to the newly refurbished theatre and I really loved the new stage which was surrounded on three sides by the audience. Jonathan Slinger, the actor who played Prospero was brilliant and the other actors in supporting roles gave a wonderful performance too. I hope I don't have to wait such a long time before my next visit.



Onto my giveaway. It's a long story, but I have ended up with two of these lovely address books by Emma Bridgewater. If you would like a chance to win one for yourself all you need to do is to leave a comment on this post. I'll leave the draw open until 31st October and pick a name or number out of the hat asap after that date.



It's my favourite Bridgewater design at the moment. I think it must be the combination of pink and the fact that it looks very much like  a stitched sampler,



I've also received the new Nigel Slater book this week. This afternoon will be a lazy one I think, spent drooling over recipes and filling my face with biscuits because reading it has made me feel hungry. Nigel's new tv series begins tonight - I can't wait.I love to watch his relaxed way of cooking, knowing that I won't have to buy a huge long list of ingredients before I can re-create his delicious food. And once Nigel's programme has finished I can open a bottle of wine and watch the England match. A good night of telly methinks.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway. All entries welcome, even if you've not commented before. Have a good weekend.

A Weekend Away

Earlier this year we celebrated our silver wedding anniversary. At the time, we weren't sure what we wanted to do to celebrate, but as soon as I saw this chapel....I knew.

I'm fascinated by churches and sacred mediaeval music and a little chapel nestled in this Welsh valley had to be the perfect place to stay.

 Our own little piece of heaven.

II loved the grand but cosy interior

and the attention to detail.



I love needlework and I really wanted to bring this cushion home with me.




As well as the the board with its hymn numbers.







The autumn sunshine that weekend was glorious and  we were able to enjoy the garden as it should be enjoyed.



Come along and have a look.



This was our hosts' home - I wouldn't mind living there either.




These were our neighbours



and we also had plenty of visitors.

This is Wenna the border collie, a frequent and welcome visitor to the chapel. I think she probably enjoyed greeting all the guests though and didn't save her favours for us. Next post I'll show you some photographs of the places we explored over the weekend. I think you've probably had photo overlosd today. BTW. Can anyone tell me why my fonts keep muddling up. I don't like it but blogger won't let me change it to how I want. Grrrr!

Things I've Been Loving This Sunday

Picking cosmos and marigolds from the garden.

Using my new CK look-a-likey purse (a birthday pressie).

Wearing my favourite summer skirt.

Enjoying new season figs. Delicious for Sunday lunch, cooked in red wine and honey. Yum.

Walking my favourite stretch of canal.

Loving  the gates on this lock-keeper's cottage.

Discovering a new woodland walk

and living up to the motto on my latest  mug. What have you loved about your weekend?

My August

I had an important birthday this month and was thoroughly spoiled. By friends who gave me this delicious cake. (None left to share - sorry). And from friends and colleagues at work these wonderful flowers and a large sum of cash, so that I can spoil myself.

My birthday week was spent in Cornwall, so I suppose a few shots of coastal prettiness wouldn't go amiss. This year I didn't really look forward to my holiday as Teenage Boy refused to come. Teenage Boy said that he wanted to stay at home and would be quite capable of looking after himself. EEK! Usually he can't throw his quilt back on his bed and he is totally incapable of bringing a glass or mug downstairs.If he uses the toaster there is usually a trail of breadcrumbs across the worktop, not to mention smears of butter everywhere.Dirty clothes breed on the bedroom floor and never find their way into the laundry bin. No, you have to come I said. No, we can trust him said Mr. F. So I went on holiday without Teenage Boy.

Below is the cottage where Antonia Barber, author of the 'Mousehole Cat' lived. The cottage features in the illustrations of the book and really doesn't look any different from Mowzer the cat's home. Mousehole pronounced 'Mowzel' has to be one of the prettiest fishing villages, although now it relies heavily on visits from tourists to earn its keep.

From August 2012

There are many hidden lanes and courtyards here.

Plenty of prettiness to keep my camera busy.

I also love Cornwall for it's boats. The sailing boat below in dry dock for some restoration.

And those in the harbour ready to put out to sea, as day boats I expect, leaving the safety of the harbour each day to catch fresh fish that is sold on inland. A hard life for the fishermen who do it and not much profit either.

This one is on its way home. I hope it was a successful trip.

We hadn't visited The Lost Gardens of Heligan for many years, so decided that it was about time we re-visited.

Still as lovely as ever, with a surprise around every corner.

And how did I spend my birthday? Wave watching of course. Followed by a meal at the pub in the evening. What else could any glamorous fifty year old want or need?

And what about Teenage Boy? Was there carnage when I got home? Had the house been trashed by six foot boys? Were there smears of lipstick left on mugs?

I'm pleased to say that both Teenage Boy and the house survived the week. I did find cigarette butts in the bin(I don't think that they belonged to him) and there were plenty of crumbs on the worktops but overall he didn't do too badly really. And bless him - he got the results needed from his GCSE's to do his college courses. Not a bad August really.