The Garden

This little pot should be in the garden, under the pergola along with the other shade loving plants that I adore.

But I brought him in just for this photo.

The pot did have a cutting of one of my favourite tree's, the Indian Bean Tree which stands next to the Koi pond. Then the Moss started to grow and eventually cover the top of this pot completely and the little tree seemed to disappear. So out came the tree cutting and the Moss has been allowed to grow quite happily.

Here is a recipe from Google on how to grow Moss.

Basic Recipe and Guidelines
Nice Looking Moss On Your Garden Planters Takes A LONG Time To Grow
Repeat these steps for each of the liquid ingredients listed:
Gather a clump of moss (remove as much dirt from the moss as possible)
Add moss into a blender (a good ratio is 1 part moss to 4 parts liquid)
Add LIQUID INGREDIENT (see options listed below)
Blend thoroughly to pulverize the moss
Spread the soupy mixture onto your object with a brush wherever you want the moss to grow
Liquid Ingredient Options
One can of beer + 1 tsp - 2 tsp sugar: or
1 cup buttermilk; or
1 cup yogurt

This is another favourite. The Tree Fern, Dicksonia antarctica.

I am lucky to have 3 of these specimens, a small and medium which are in pots and a quite tall one, 3 foot which stands on the ground near the pond. I have just cut the large one back to the crown so decided now was not a good time to photograph it. The Tree Fern is a beautiful plant and Tree Ferns in particular are useful for adding structure and instant impact to a garden or courtyard.

This one is just beginning to look a bit tired. So I will cut him back to just above the crown and put the leaves that I have cut over the crown to protect from frost. The colder or more exposed gardens would also need to wrap him in a protective fleece.

This pot is covered with Baby Tears, Helxine Soleirolii.

This is supposed to be an indoor plant but can be seen growing outside in gardens quite happily.

It does seem to prefer shade but can tolerate a little sun. It is very easy to grow and be used for ground cover. I have pushed little bit in between the rocks around my pond and close to the waterfall where it has grown very rapidly and looks wonderful. Again this is not the best time to see my plant. In the spring and summer it looks stunning.

I would love to show you more but you will have to wait until the Spring!

A Little Christmas Giveaway!

Yes, yes,yes........I am so thrilled with this Ted.

I love him....already.

He arrived this morning, another EBay purchase. I had already bought the little hand knitted jumper on.............you guessed it EBay!

and as you can see it fits perfectly......I just love him.

He was supposed to be a Christmas present for one of my babies, but not any more I am keeping him.

So..........here is the game............

I would like some help in naming him.

I already have a Big Ted and a Little Ted, as some of you may know already.

I will 'Giveaway' one of my little red gingham hearts to the person who chooses the most suitable name for him.

I should add that I will be selecting one of the names suggested on Sunday and will announce 'The Winner'

on Monday morning.

Thank you to all of you that have joined in this

'Giveaway'
X

Another Scary Moment & Shopping & Baking

Phew! I thought that this was it, Blogging all over for me!

I had lost something that made this Blog work!

I have not a clue how it happened either. I could not do anything, not even upload an image - it just came out as code, could not compose - nothing! Still some bits are missing so I will have to try and sort this out!!!!!!!errrr

UPDATE:- I think I have it sorted, but no colour, still..........

I managed to revert back to another Template and this is it. Big sigh of relief!!!!almost back to normal blog.

Another dull Monday morning, so I had to shop. Carole picked me up in the car and we went to Eynsford village to the Farm Shop to buy a few more Heart's...........Christmas decorations. And some delicious Cinnamon Stars for Christmas Eve. Lovely.

These tree decorations are made from tin and hand painted. I am still keeping the Red & White theme.
This lovely little wooden Christmas tree has little rusty bells on and the cinnamon stars will be very lucky if they are still that packet by Christmas Eve!

The white heart is wooden and the red one is tin. These are supposed to be for the Christmas Tree but I know that I will find the perfect spot form them to hang all year round.

The wooden Christmas tree has a new home already - on my bedroom mantle.

Then we moved onto Otford Village where there are some nice little shops for us to browse. An Antique Centre firstly where I bought another jug! a TG Green milk jug in yellow and white.
I could not resist it. the primrose is quite rare and I had a Sugar Shaker that I bought many years ago that will go perfectly with my new milk jug.
The trouble is as I am sure you have all experienced, where do we keep putting all these new additions to our homes?

Well, you just have to squeeze it in with all the others and hope that Hubby doesn't spot it and tell me off!

Emmm, I need more shelves.

In a little antique shop I found this old children's book for £3.00. What a find. I

Well, I got home and Johanna was trying yet again to perfect Nigella Chocolate Cup Cakes.

Big round of applause for Johanna, they were scrumptious.

This is a Vintage Cake Stand. Salvaged from a house clearance. It is clear glass and decorated with gold. I was not sure if I liked it and I am so glad that I kept it.....it has grown on me quite a lot!

Cosy Sunday & Sewing

I checked my emails today and was so pleased to have received another 'You Make Me Smile' Award from Jen & Jacqui The Bowerbirds's.

Thank you girls I am flattered and want to say that "you make me smile too"!

Today it is cold and I am really pleased that I do not have to go out at all. I have all my supplies ready for the big Sunday roast. I only have 7 for dinner today so a leg of pork will be put into the Aga at 3pm and dinner will be served at 6pm!

I lit the fire and set up the sewing machine.

I had another delivery from Ebay to use, it was some my of favourite material from Kate Forman Designs and as I already had quite a few cushions in this material decided that I would make 3 lamp shade covers.

This is the gorgeous piece of material that I received in the post.

I love this material - Roses.

Measured and cut to fit over one of my old lamp shades. I then hemmed top and bottom, sewed the edges together and made into a tube. This fitted the old shade and would just slip over it like a little dress!

This is the end result. A Shabby Chic loose lamp cover!

It does not have to be perfect, that is the charm of shabby chic.

From a distance it looks quite good!!!

I thought that I would quickly make a needle wallet with a piece of the off cut of Kate Forman material. First I made a little book with a piece of my red gingham material - left over from Christmas decorations !

I made a little book from a piece of card and covered it with the red gingham material. This forms the shape of the needle wallet. This is then sew carfully, trying to hide the stitches all around the edges.

I edged the material to be the inside page very roughly on the sewing machine, I could have taken more time really to get a neater finish but I just didn't! This piece of material will hold the needles and pins. Place on the fold of the wallet and neatly stitch into position.

This is the finished article, with new pins and needles already in place.

It only took half and hour to make and is a great little project for a beginner.

I had to embroider a Heart on the front didn't I! and my initial 'C' inside the heart.

This lamp shade cover is one that I made to fit snugly over the old shade, but it still has the lovely soft gatherings at the top. The great thing with these is that they can easily be taken off and washed.

I hope that you all have a lovley week and all your dreams come true........xx

A Big Thank You Fellow Bloggers And Route Masters

A Big thank you to all you lovely ladies

who have wished me well.

It really helps when you feeling very low.

But I am back on form

So.........

Only joking!

I have to fix my own drinks........lol........non alcoholic mostly!

You are all very special ladies to me

XXX

Remember These

I really miss these bus's. What fun I had on them.
Jumping on and off when moving..........not recommended of course.
The very best thing though was the Bus Conductor.
I wanted to be one when I was about 3......
I just liked the noise the little ticket machine made, remember them?
And 'On The Buses' that was a favourite as a child.
I want them back !
Stamp stamp stamp.........of feet

Christmas Tree Decorations 2007

I wanted to share with you the little Christmas decorations that I have made today.

My Christams tree is going to be red and white this year with a rustic feel.

I bought these gorgeous baubles, I have managed to break one already!

Peek A Boo

Oh how great it feels to be normal again!

I have been so ill for the last 4 days, very unlike me really.

I do get an off day but must say that I cannot remember a bug this bad for years.

And I have lost 4 lb hoorah! just a small consolation...........

I saw over at Cowboys & Custard a photo of Michele and thought what a great game. Just a snippit, a little peek. It really does bring someone who you have been chatting to, to life!

This is me this morning, full of the Joys Of Winter........

I have been very good, done the housework.......... not all of it, but made a good start.

Now I can sew with no guilt.

Here is the pile of material waiting to be made into curtains. (There is a lot more!).

A friend has shown me how to smock.

I really enjoy it. It is so simple and so effective.

This is a practice piece of material.

Now that I know I can do it, I will make an attempt a baby girl's dress or baby boy's romper, for Katies little bump!

Katie has came over today to see me. She has a very petite frame and I was pleasantly suprised to see 'bump' has popped out all of a sudden! and kicking...........

I would sort of like to know what it is.

We are going to wait for the suprise instead, just as we older Mummy's had to do.

Book Cover Tag

Bj http://sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/wants us all to join in with this fun little Tag. Just go to AMAZON.COM, click on BOOKS, then ADVANCED SEARCH, type your first name in TITLE, then choose a cute or meaningful book cover and then POST it. This is my one, I love this sort of book cover. Don't you just wish you were in one of those lovely houses now!

My best freind is called Carole, we were known as the two Carols. I have known her almost as long as my parents, now there is thought.............

And this is another book cover, I just couldn't resist it. Called Carol (pink). I am not really a bright pink kinda gal, but I like these tightly bunched 'Roses' I think that they are roses!!!
Come on, join in xx

Tagged

I have not been feeling well today. So I lit the fire this afternoon and rested as you should on a big comfy sofa with a good book..........then I remembered.......

Michele at Cowboys & Custard has tagged me for a random, weird and funny fact about me!

1.Random......I was entered into the Miss Pears Soap contest as a baby, I did not come anywhere! the judges must have been blind!!!

2.Weird.......I was lost as a baby of about 8-9 months, still crawling. (I walked at 10 months)

I was found by my frantic parents. I had crawled into the understairs cupboard and taken a Spanish Onion from Mum's basket, there I was sitting with the huge onion held to my mouth like an apple and enjoying every mouthfull, snot and tears rolling down my face. I screamed when they tried to take it away. There my love of onions began.

3. Funny.....I was so upset when my sister got married, I was 7 years old and had spent every night since I was born in her bed! I felt she was deserting me. I was a bridesmaid of course. When the congregation were told to throw the confetti, I 'chucked' the confetti, box and all at my sister and hit her on the head. I didn't find it funny but everyone else did! I am glad she see's the funny side now.

I must pass this Tag onto someone em.................ok Bj at sweetnothingsbj.blogspot.com/

Old Soldier And Still Soldiering On!

My Young Dad

&
Rememberance Sunday
We must never forget these brave young men
~~~
Never Have So Many Owed So Much To So FewWinston Churchill~~~
Dad volunteered at the age of 17 to go to War

At the time he was working for Shellmex & BP in London

He was in the 52nd Army Anti Tank Regiment from 1939 they was attached to the 5th army division

In 1939 he went across to France and was evacuated in 1940 at Dunkirk
~~~
This was just the start of things to come

Dad with a few of his with his friends
~~~
They looked out for each other during the 6 years that they were together
A lot of what they saw is not talked about
But one story has always stayed with me
One of his closest friends went through 6 years of hell fighting on the front line
On the day that war was declared over they all rejoyced
His friend jumped from the back of the truck they were travelling in
His gun went off as it hit the ground and he shot himself dead - a tragic accident
Dad had seen his friend die on the very day he should have been going
'Home'

Dad was asked to go to the family of his friend and return the only valuable item he possessed
His wedding ring
He travelled across many countries and to the family of his dear mate, told them the very sad news
They wanted him to keep the ring
He still has it to this day
~~~
They came home grown men and not the young innocent men who left their loved ones behind to go and fight for the freedom of others
But also
We must never forget the women of this beautiful England
They kept this country going while their men went to war
~~~
Mum was just one of many young women who brought up their young babies with little food and no money
They worked on the land and in the factories
They supported the war effort
~~~
When Dad returned he went to find the young girl he had not seen for such a long time and found a beautiful woman and daughter working in the hop fields
Mum knew that he was a different man from the one who went and fought with such courage
They would start over and make a new life together with their young daughter
Jacqueline, my sister was frightened of this new man who just appeared from nowhere!
Slowly they would grow to love one another
~~~
My Dad went through so much during the war but has never ever complained

When he returned home he was grateful for the very little that they had
Together and along with with many others they rebuilt their lives and this country
~~~
They have both given
So Much and taken So Little
~~~~~
Dad has worked all his life
He is 87 years old
And he still pays his Taxes
~~~
This government should feel ashamed of that fact
*
**
***

You Can Bring Rose With The Turned Up Nose, But Don't Bring Lou Lou

My Old Faithfuls !

Well here they are by special request of Michele

infocowboysandcustard.blogspot.com

This is Lou Lou, she is a Poodle, hand knitted and loved almost to death. Lou Lou is full of holes from all the washing and loving.

She was present from Aunt Bette when I was about 18 months old.

The next image is of Panda, not a very original name I know! He belonged to my brother John and I adopted him when I was born.......John is 12 years older than me and did not look after Panda as he should have done.

Big Ted is the orange bear with one eye missing. I can remember crying when his eye fell out.

I loved big Ted the best. My Mum bought him - in a hurry - she had received a call from my Godmother who rang to say that she had bought me a lovely Teddy. Mum told that I had one already! Mum knew from previous experience that my Godmothers toys came Big, too big and would arrive on the back of a low loader! So Mum said that she should keep this Teddy at her house for when I visited.

Mum was right of course, as Mums always are. When we went to visit Godmother Florence I saw the Teddy in a spare bedroom he completly covered the spare double bed!!! I thought Mum was mean not letting me take him home.
Little Ted, as he was known is probably the most valuable of my soft toys. He went with me to infant school every day in his carrycot. He wore little Ted clothes. I think the other three were very jealous of little Ted.

The song 'You can bring Rose' which is the title of this post, is one that I remember singing with my Dad, does anyone else remember it?

Sunday Lunch At A Village Pub

The Two Brewers
We went out for Sunday lunch. We didn't book, took a chance that we would get a table. After all, if all else fails there is always the local Indian!

Shoreham village was the chosen location and a nice warm traditional pub.
I had roast beef with all the trimmings and a home made Yourkshire pudding....yummmm.

We had a lovely day. It is good for my Dad to get him out and do something a bit different from the normal. Mum doesn't talk much, but she eats well and loves her Gin & Tonic, bless her.
They have been married for 65 years.
My Dad is 87 next March and Mum will be 85 next February.
They love a trip out in the camper and both want to come camping next summer with the whole family. They are a tough old couple, I love them so much, as I type this my blog is playing and song just happens to be 'Unforgetable' by Nat King Cole - it has brought a tear to my eye as Dad would sing this to me when I was a baby.
I was born almost exactly 1 year after my Mum had lost a baby girl called Lorraine.
Lorraine had suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and died a fews days after she was born. Mum said she was perfect to look at, you would never had thought anything was wrong with her.
Dad and my older sister - by 16 years - went home and put all the baby things away and out of sight. The Doctor told Mum and Dad to go home and try for another baby. So here I am...
Everyone thought my Mum and Dad were mad to have another baby after Lorraine died, but if they had not done as the Doctor said they would not be having fun out in the camper with me and hubby would they.........

Sunday Lunch

Sunday is here again and normally I cook for everyone.

It has to be a proper roast in the colder months.

But, this Sunday..........Carol's Kitchen is CLOSED.

I want to be driven somewhere where there are lovely little shops, in a pretty little village. It is a gorgeous sunny day, perfect for a day out.

I am not sure if Nigella is going to take us.......I really hope so.

Hub is walking the dogs, so he will decide when he gets back.

I am supposed to be geting ready!!!

Quick, shut down this Blog before he catches me, again!

Images will follow.

Beatrix Potter And The Lake District

Beautiful Cumbria

This year we had two trips to the Lakes and stayed at Yew Tree Farm both times.

Yew Tree Farm was one of the locations where they filmed Miss Potter.

I bought my first Potter book The Tale of Mr Todd when I was about 7 years old. I loved this little book and there the facination with Beatrix grew. I collected more over time but never managed the full set.

I do have the full set now as I bought the missings titles for my children and kept them !

Along with soft toys, china, pictures and so much more, I am so glad I kept them as they are now in full use by my grandchildren.

The Spinning Gallery

This is where the maids spun the wool. We were told they spun outside because they could spin for longer with better light.

Our Bedroom

This bed is comfy! but I did have to jump a bit to get onto it.

The moment we walked into the farm house, I fell in love with it.

The house had kept so much of its oringal charm.

After the filning was over, the tenants had the place re-furbished and used mostly William Morris designs.
It was just enchanting.
Breathtaking Scenery

The whole area is so beautiful........it really does take your breath away.

It is so quiet.

Drystone Walls

The dry stone walling runs for miles following the curves in the land.

The sheep, a lot of which are Herwick actually do not need walls to keep them in their own farm areas. There are specially bred to know exactly where the boundrys are without the need for walls.

The Lakes

Also known as Tarns, are so still and peacefull. There is something about this part of the country that makes you feel as though you have travelled back in time. For me, there was this slight ghostly feel of the 1930's. Especially near Lake Windermere.

I have so many photos and not enough time to upload them all.

I would love to show you more maybe another day.

XXX