A Day In My Life

Before you start if you like to read your blogs in peace, turn off the speakers!

I was very angry today and when I feel like that I have to put on some happy music and loud!

Just like the piece I have chosen here by George M....if you like it turn it up and bounce away as you read!

~~~

Once I have finally manage to drag myself out of bed....not easy! and hobble downstairs to make that first great cup of breakfast tea to start my day, the very first thing I do is look out of the kitchen window to see what is happening with the weather!

I like to sit an enjoy my mug of tea with a book or magazine and most definitely NOT the letters that fall onto the doormat in huge pile every morning and never fail to annoy me in some way!

I confess to having a little spend-up on Amazon, but I did only buy from the New & Used section this time - great idea big savings can be made here. This is just two of the 5 books that I ordered.

'Falling Cloudberrys and Apples For Jam byTessa Kiros. I have to say these are more than just cookery books they are full of beautiful pictures and both tell a little story about family and food.

My happiness was short lived !

I will not tell you about the 'horrific' Bank charges that I also received this morning. And all because the Amazon payments came out so fast from my Halifax account they were debited before a credit that was due in had arrived....isn't it funny how they always manage to take money out of our accounts in a flash yet money going in is sooo slow. Is it a scam! are we being robbed under our noses....yes I dare say.

Next job. Feed the dog's!

Upstairs to get myself ready for the day and make the bed.... my two bedside reads at the moment are a Ghost story and my most favorite of all the house mag's...even more so as they have sent me a gorgeous Emma Bridgewater spotty cup & saucer for my afternoon tea...

Back out into the garden to wash-up the dog's bowls and water the plants. This is an old Belfast sink that my son-in-law gave us. N. had the iron stand made to measure by a local Cotswold blacksmith. I am going to paint the iron stand but I have not yet decided on the shade of F&B I want. A big sink in the garden is a brilliant idea if you have room.

Back into the kitchen for a quick tidy here and then one of favorite 'hobbies' to paint my latest finds.
I have managed to get N. to help this time....I think he is fed up with all my projects blocking is garage space!

My F&B collection of oil eggshell paint and one of the little bird box's that I have asked N. to make for me. This one has a lead roof...removed for the painting and the other one has a grey slate roof. I wanted three all to be different, so far I have two ready for painting.
In between painting I do bit of dusting and hoovering, well it has to be done.....no order to my housework...as and when. I have to say Cath Kidston's pack of two pretty dusters do make it a bit more 'fun' ? is that the right word? or am I just sad!

A dash to the high street to have a big moan in the Bank!

Afterwards I found myself yet again in the charity shop spending money I should be saving to pay the Banks massive charges...and was rewarded with this!

I have been searching for weeks, no, months for a nice crochet throw for the camper van.

I had bid on several on EBay and lost or backed out as the price rockets.

There it was, perfect and only £3.99 !

All Cool Campers should have at least one of these to throw around your shoulders as you sit by the campfire, telling ghost stories !

Home again.

A little walk around my garden to inspect how little I have left of my Hosta's after last nights feast by the slugs and snails!

Finally pop the kettle on before lunch.

Katie and Jude arrive just as lunch is served...

I did manage to buy one crochet squares blanket on EBay.

But silly me, in my haste I did not get the tape measure out to check the size. It is a bit small but so beautifully made. Guy likes it too.And lastly my Cath Kidston expensive crochet throw. The colours go perfectly with the camper interior which is mainly pale blue and bright pinks.I will have to show you the camper interior one day.

After lunch or brunch, more painting. Then on goes the kettle again as Katie and Jude sleep on the sofa!

Nothing like a nice cup of tea in the afternoon! Gosh there is a lot tea drinking in this house. And two of my litttle 'boys' enjoying the afternoon with me in the garden.

Next I dash to the allotment to water and a spot of weeding.

It is so peaceful here...the thought of actually going is not one that pleases me, but once I am through the padlocked gates I am happy, it is the quietness that I love and seeing my vegetables growing before my eyes.

Home again, whacked out....cook the dinner and finally I collapse on the sofa until Hub says,

time for bed Carol...wake up!

Where do the hours go? I never achieve all that I hope to at the start of the day.
XXX

Herbaceous Perennials and Palms of the attached to your hands variety!

I have in my garden two plants I treasure. The first one is Smilacina racemosa, common name False Spikenard. The second is, Solomens's Seal, both love shade, as do I! and are wonderful for cut flower displays. The perfume from Smilacina fills the room with a wonderful fresh clean scent.

This is the Solomens Seal and as you can see the tiny flowers hang under the leaves like little bell's. Both will become very large, but look so beautiful if you have a the right spot for them. To lie under a tree in the glorious sunshine is where I want to be. I love the variegated leaves of my young Maple tree. I will be so sad to leave it behind. I have a habit of doing this. I plant lots of trees and just as they start to look really special...I move.

My pond has dirty green water, but, I like it that way. My fish can hide! I have planted Baby Tears on the rocks around the pond, it spreads very quickly and adds wonderful lushness to the pond.

Now, I have a question for anyone who knows anything about

Palmistry!

I had not noticed that I had and extra line on my left hand until I went to a Medium. After the reading she wanted to read my palm. On inspecting it she commented on the additional line that I had and told me that it was rare and lucky or something, can't remember now as it was a long time ago. My youngest daughter has the same extra line on her left hand and I have just checked Jude's left hand and well and behold he too has this extra line! The line that I am talking about is the little one on the side of my hand opposite my thumb, just a little line that runs from that fleshy side of my hand. Does anyone know what it means?

Update sorry to confuse!

I mean the short line under the little finger that runs from the edge or side of my hand towards the middle and then ends!!!The very little but deep line.

Update:- I have searched the Internet and found some very useful sites, but not one has been able to show in a diagram or describe what this extra very prominent line means!

A very laid back Jude and looking so much fuller in the face don't you think!

Back soon...

Snaps & Snails & Puppy Dogs Tails

Garden Snaps....Yesterday was a really warm and I could not wait to get in my garden and have a little tidy up.

The Hosta's are now up...some more than others, but the blooming Snails have devoured one Lupin and some tiny little baby snails had managed to by-pass the Slug & Snail killer and started to tuck into one my potted Hosta's. I am on a mission now!
Here is Nigella the camper......still waiting for that first camping trip with the new awning.

This picture is taken from the back of the garden where the pond is situated and the new patio has been recently laid.....almost finished!

A little fence that we needed to keep the dogs off the garden and my little boy's away from the pond.

Another yellow Acer of the very slow growing type.
I did have this in a pot but when we moved here I did think that this would be the last move...so I planted all my beloved Acer's in the ground and said that I had finally put down roots....
I changed my mind.
One more move is planned.
I will be very sad to leave my plants.

Puppy Dog's Tails......
This little munchkin decided that he would have an adventure.
He squeezed between our house side wall and next doors wall, it is a very small gap of about
4 inches!
Guy was stuck!
Bottom facing out.
We thought that we had not heard him for a while then N heard a whimper.
Talking calmly to him was not working, he could not work out reverse!
N had to drag him out by his Tail.....

The Belfast sink was the perfect place to bath Jude.
Here he is in his bath seat.
Mummy does not have to bend over....stitches still a little sore!

Bathed, dressed smelling gorgeous.
Fed and so content.
This is what little Boy's are made of!

A trip to Tunbridge Wells to shop was
heaven for me.
Guy got a new little red bed, all soft and covered with Stanley print from Cath Kidston.
And....
Jude got a pair of very soft white leather pram booties.
They look quite big in this picture but infact are tiny but still a wee bit too big for him now.
Can't wait to see his little chunky little legs in them!
Well that is another week gone!
I am now off to see what you have all been up to!
xcx

The Stork Has Landed!

At last Jude Joseph is here!

Born on 26th April 2008

13.36 hrs

7lb 12oz

A very proud new Daddy holds his precious little boy for the first time.

Nana gets to smother him in kisses.
Delighted that at last the wait is over.
Mummy gives Jude a kiss hello.

This was a week that we will never forget.
It is a bit of long story, but I will keep it brief!
I only wish the labour was!
Katie tried very hard to achieve her dream of the Home Birth, but alas things were just not progressing and she was finding the pain too much after 12 hours with only gas & air.
The birthing pool...which I must admit I was not too keen on, was actually a brilliant piece of equipment and I could see as soon a Kate climbed in and got into a comfortable position the frown on her face lifted and she looked more relaxed.
However, as I said things just were not progressing and she was finally taken into hospital by Ambulance at 4 am in the morning.
An epidural was given and the drip put up to try and speed things up a little.
Sadly this did not work either!
By 13.00 hrs it was decided to go to theatre and perform a Cesarean Section.
This is Paul in his scrubs and looking relieved that at last the wait would be over!


I felt honoured that I was able to be there.
13.36......Jude was born.Here is the little chap looking so much better now that he has been fed, dressed and given lots of cuddles.

Now this is a very good tip given to me by one of staff.

There is always a shortage of pillows in the Maternity Dept. Goodness knows where they all go!

So pack 2 of your own and put very bright pillow slips on them so they stick out like sore thumbs and you are reminded to take them home with you!

Nothing like sleeping on your own pillows anyway...

After a few hours Jude's head...which did resemble that of an alien when he first appeared, started to mould itself nicely.

He has huge blue eyes and silky ash blond hair.

Oh yes, and big hands like his Daddy.

I want to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful staff at Queen Mary's, what very special people you all are.

Thank you to all of you have left comments or emailed me about Katie.

Blogger's United

xCx

Vintage Enamel, Spicey Cook Book & Lakelands

No News Yet!

But this baby is definitely going to be here by next Tuesday as Katie will have to be taken into hospital on Monday and be induced.

We have tried a few old wives tricks....didn't work.

So any suggestions would be gratefully welcomed as Katie would dearly love to stay at home to have this baby.

I have always wanted Cath Kidston's Wooden Stanley.

I love Lakeland's and would recommend anyone thinking abut having a dog to read up on this breed.

They are very intelligent, extremely loyal, love the children and other dogs, are small - so very easy to look after and transport about....mine has been to the pub inside my big handbag!

And most importantly, they do not moult .....you have to strip out the old fur which is very easy to do, Guy appeared to be in a very relaxed mood and enjoyed having his fur pulled out...it does not hurt!

The best tip I can offer is....tough love....Lakeland's being of the Terrier breed need firm Mum's, no nonsense; otherwise they will dominate you!

Cath Kidston has not included Stanley in the toy section this year - she may do later I was told. I called a few CK shops and managed to locate one which was sent from Brighton to Tunbridge Wells.....new shop and just wonderful!

I went with hub and collected it on Saturday.

For now, he is on display with my most recent EBay purchase a felt Stanley on the mantle and will be relocated to the nursery later.

Walking, walking and more vintage enamelware.

Katie and I went to Otford for little shopping and lunch.

We have been walking a lot in the hope that gravity will work its wonders.

I spotted this white enamel colander and had to give it a new home....love white.

And a vintage Tea Towel which I will embroider my initials on in red.

Also found this lovely white enamel Sugar container which I have filled with little children friendly sweeties...for good little boys and me.

A new enamel tin from John Lewis ....not as nice as the old but I cannot find a Vintage one for soap powder.
Lastly, this is a gorgeous book to own...if you like cook books and spicy food this is a must.
The pictures are big and bright and make you want to try something new.
I should make a hot and spicy Thai curry for Katie !

Cook books with big pictures are the best.

Have a great week all, I pray that on my next post I have some good news.
Carol xx

Old Photos. Embroidered Hearts and Lace.

My fingers are twitching......I am waiting for that call....and not feeling too good really as I over indulged last night ! and went to bed far too late....

partying is fun but boy do we pay the price the next day.

Anyway......moving on.

This is a picture of Me! and my lovely Hub....N. 28 years ago ooopps correction - just 27 years ! I still have the dress and N. still has the suit. A couple of years ago we tried them on - for a laugh - I did JUST manage to get the zipper done up, but struggled to get the dress off again.

N. put his suit on a looked liked Norman Wisdom.....

N's arms and legs have got longer ! can you believe that!!!

And this is my daughter Katherine Louise and her new Husband...Paul James.

Baby is on its way!!!!

My Mother Helen and my sister Jacqueline.....

this picture was taken at the time of the Second World War.

Old photos are so beautiful.

Seeing some your lovely table clothes and lace, I thought I would show you one of my favorite pieces.

And embroidered hearts for everyone special to me.
This is my latest 'thing' I made 5 on Friday.

Two more....the 'C' is for me.
The plain one has not photographed well, it is a very pale pink ribbon, it looks more peach here.
I have more....
but I cannot show them as they are going to be presents.

Have a lovely peaceful Sunday all.
xCx