Nice Day at Rosies

Romance in the air!!

2012-02-13T07:48:00.000-08:00

Goodness has it been over a week since I wrote on my blog, time just seems to fly and guess what it's Valentines Day, well I don't know whether I will be doing anything romantic!! but I am going to Bournemouth to visit my parents tomorrow, so should be a lovely day. Many years ago, my Father gave me this little picture, well actually I think it is a hankie which has been framed it is called Wedded and I love it, I always have a special place in my home for it

Now what I have been doing, well I did visit the Rag Fair and along with a lovely French Linen Cloth, I found this jacket, I have been after one of these jackets for a while, liking the ones by Cabbages and Roses as well as Brora - but not liking the prices - I was so pleased to find it, so after a trip to the dry cleaners and a new embellishment which I made yesterday for it, I think it doesn't look too bad and all for the price of £40 a little different in price!

The scarf I also found only £2 and looks great. I have indulged though with a silk shirt from the sales it arrived at the weekend it is lovely, so forties and looks great with the jacket and slim trousers!!

I bought mine in the crimson colour!

I have been getting on well with my crocheting but the basket was getting too small, so found this old basket, and a piece of fabric (which used to be a blind in our old house) and made a new liner and now a decent size basket for my squares.

Now another peep inside my house, my bedroom is fine but needs a little attention,

I have so many different colour paints on the furniture and the chest of drawers - I just don't like this yellowish pine and the handles ugh! this is going to be my project , and change the light believe it or not I have 3 chandeliers in the garage which need putting up - seems to be falling on death ears whenever I mention this job. I was pleased with the curtains, fabric I found at the Shepton Mallet flea market and there wasn't quite enough but luckily found more on ebay, the length I would have preferred longer but they look quite pretty.

pretty lavender bag made from french linen

another find at a small flea market nearby!

So really this is a before photo, might be a while before you see the after photo!!

I have spent the day cleaning, I do love it after it has been done everything looks and smells lovely, can't guarantee that it will stay like it. Off to make goosberry crumble to take to Mum's (goosberries picked from my garden last year! they freeze well) Have a great week, and I promise I will drop my very soon.

Jillx

The room with the lock on!!

2012-02-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

In my last blog I did say I was off to Sidmouth, camera in hand I have taken a few photos of this lovely Regency town by the sea, but as always when you want to take a lovely shot of the architecture, they are covered in scaffolding!!

Great views as you drive down to Sidmouth

Now another peep around my home,

our bathroom we inherited but I hope I have put a few of my own touches to it, I will change the paintwork at sometime, but I don't think it is too bad, the bath is lovely and so deep, and as for the view - lovely on a summers day with the windows wide open.

These jars I bought at the Country Living Fair last year, great for my lipsticks and brushes! I think the stall was Velvet Ribbon

A really good view while cleaning your teeth!

Soap bought from St Remy in Provence

and this basket from a market in Normandy

Some of you have now got snow, but guess what ours dissappeared yesterday, although we went for a walk on Exmoor and it is still covered in snow and very icy, although I think we were the only people up there walking, didn't stay too long, and needed a drink in the pub to revive afterwards. Sorry forgot camera so no photos of Exmoor - promise I will take it with me next time.
Choice tomorrow do I go to the Rag Sale or an Auction in Exeter, decisions, decisions.
Love reading your comments and sorry if I haven't visited you recently promise I will do very soon, not to myself must do better!!

Brrr............

2012-02-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

This morning woke to the most beautiful sunrise, sorry everyone but I still have snow!

Out with my camera in my PJs and wellingtons, good job there was no Farmers around. Indoors now,do I have a lovely cup of tea or some hot chocolate, choices choices.

January has gone and welcome to Februay, so I thought I would bring a little spring sunshine into the house, I love these little tete a tete so sweet!!

In February I will be giving you little tasters of around the house! this is a sweet little shelf made with lovely wood on a marble plinth, very tactile, and I try and keep it simple, although somehow by the end of the day I am clearing it of glasses, keys, books etc etc. guess who does that!!

you can just see my new Anthropologie Apron hanging up, present from Alex my son!

February also sees us looking forward to the Summer and trying to decide where to go, shall we stay in England or shall we go off abroad, I really fancy Corsica,

or maybe the South of France I always seem to draw to the later because I think it is my favourite place.

Well off to Sidmouth tomorrow and maybe I will take my camera with me as it is a beautiful Georgian seaside town. Have a great week keep warm and please if you stop by leave me a comment I would love to hear from you.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, let it snow!!

2012-01-30T03:27:00.000-08:00

After one of the mildest winters on record and such a contrast from last year, this morning I woke up to this, it is still snowing but instead of that lovely reflections of light that you get when you have blue sky and sun unfortunately it is all rather grey, but camera in hand I have tried to capture our first snow this winter.

The weekend was bright and cold (I am beginning to sound like the weatherman) so we visited the lovely village of Topsham which borders the River Exe, the houses are fascinating and mostly of dutch origins I believe that there was dutch settlers here when it was a very busy port.

This house has the most beautiful bow window

and this one is called The Shell House for obvious reasons!

most of the roads lead down to the water

There is a walk along the estury called Goat Walk and the sun hitting the water was stunning on Saturday Morning.
The rest of the weekend was spent by the fire doing some crocheting, I am always afraid to photo my efforts as some of you are such experts, but I think once I have bordered it in white and sewn it all up it won't look too bad, I just have to do something while I am sitting down, I get itchy hands (not feet)!!

Keep warm everyone, and thank you all for your lovely comments!

Ups and Downs

2012-01-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

Well it has been one of those up and down sort of weeks, we had the funeral for my Uncle on Monday and it makes you realise how precious life is, it was my Father's only brother and you could see that it hit him hard. Your parents and siblings are an important part of your life, and I know that life is too short for quibbles, arguments, whose hurt the most etc. etc. We should get on with life and all that it brings you the ups and the downs, don't dwell on the past look to the future and enjoy!! I'll get off my pedastal now, but sometimes you just have to say it.
Talking of my parents my lovely Mother has been busy knitting again, and has made me these great wrist warmers and hat, she is so clever! she is now knitting for my friends!! So Emma and Maureen it won't be long!

At Christmas my son's bought me these books (I did tell Santa about them so he must have heard!). The first one is amazing, the pictures I just love, whether I can emulate any of the flower decorations will be another thing, but it is certainly inspirational, and lovely to look through especially on this cold day!

The second book is The Vintage Tea Table, it is quirky and great fun with lots of fabulous recipes.

I haven't tried any of them (because I am trying to avoid cakes etc at the moment!) but will do soon, my friend Pippa at the Tower House in Tenterden holds Vintage Tea Parties and they seem to be going down really well!

Talking of friends the lovely Joasia has joined us all on this blogging world, she is creative, talented and has an amazing shop, please visit her blog so that she doesn't feel so lonely in the blog hemisphere, it is delightful with great ideas!
Well lunch beckons, a salad a think, and then as the sun has now come out I think I will go on a walk, I keep hearing on the radio that we are in for a very
cold spell which would mean that we would be very isolated, so I think I better stock up.
Have a great weekend everyone, keep commenting I love hearing from you. Jillx

Lost and now found!!!

2012-01-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

To start this post I thought I would cheer all of you that have found this week very tiring and grey, with some photos of the flowers around my house, flowers always cheer me up and the smell of the hyacinth is divine.

First of all I would like to thank everyone with their constructive advice about trying to help me remember what happened to my memory card. I took my camera on a short break took loads of photos only to realise when I got home that I had no memory card, I know it does flash up and say NO CARD but I always use the view finder and not the screen on the back of my camera!! But to cut a long story short, I ordered a new one went to put it in my computer - guess what there sitting smugly was my card - I am positive I checked there first!!!!

Well now to tell you where we went - we have always promised ourselves a trip to Ardingly (a giant Antique Fair) as this is rather a long way from Devon we decided to combine this with a short break in Sussex and Hampshire.

We stayed at this lovely pub called The Royal Oak at East Lavant nr Chichester, I couldn't recommend it more, lovely room, food and great staff. As you can see (the photo has been taken in the Summer!)

the pub is a really traditional with a modern twist.

Ardingly was great so many stalls you just didn't know where to start - but here is a few photos of what I bought!

I loved this glass cake dish with cover which I bought from a French dealer (there are a lot of foreign dealers here especially French and Belgian)

I am using it for my ribbons,

but would look lovely with cupcakes, or some of those delicious macaroons!

The fabric is an old french pillowcase - I have ideas for this fabric, in the corner of the glass dome photos you can see a painted wooden cutlery box which I thought would make a good sewing box.

The little glass dish I loved, great for clotted cream (come on I do live in Devon!!)

Also I am so sorry Lizzie from the washerwoman blogspot I took lots of photos of your stall - and of course the rest is history.

Then off for a few days with friends visiting my Mum and Dad and then back to Devon.

Been a little chilly and bleak here up on the hill, so soup was definitely what was needed, a great pumpkin and fennel soup, it was delicious!!

Has anyone had problems commenting on blogs - as soon as I write a comment it goes to a blank page, they seemed to have resolved it now, as some people say 'if its not broke why mend it'

Weekend ahead, and if weather is fine lots of walks, good food and a glass of wine by the fire can't think of anything better! have fun. Jill

And The Winner is ........................................

2012-01-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Pop the champagne corks because Wendz from the blog http://15coastroad.blogspot.com/ has wonthe lovely Vintage Table book. Please could you send me your email and as soon as I have your address I will pop it in the post.
Thank you everyone for all your lovely comments and I loved reading how you decorated your table at Christmas.
Still haven't found my memory card, ordered 2 more so afraid no new photos at the moment.

One more day to go!!

2012-01-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

This is just a reminder to you all that there is just one more day before I draw the winning ticket for this lovely book, so please comment either on this post or on the Vintage Table post!! Here are a few more table settings that I love. I know some of them are a little bare but I just love the simplicity of the table, and you just wouldn't want to add too much to them.

I will blog again to tell you about our break but have to tell you all that I have lost my memory card out of my camera so all the pics I took I have lost, what is up with me!!!!

A cold Winters walk!

2012-01-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

This morning the sun was shining, so on with the wellingtons and a cold country walk before lunch, but before I had even stepped out the door the rain and mist came down, but I had got my boots on so I wasn't going to turn around now!

Devon lanes are called sunken lanes as you can see from this photo

they are embedded in the landscape carving through the countryside, the only problem is you would have to be quite tall to see over the top.

But there were signs of spring,

as well as views which were hidden by the mist.

We also have some new neighbours maybe we will be lucky to see the first lambs of the season.

Just a short post today, but it has been a sad week for our family as I lost both an Uncle and an Aunt on the same day, I was able to be with my Uncle so I hope I gave him some comfort - my Father (whose brother it is) lives too far away and would not have been able to travel but it has hit both my Mother and Father very hard.
We are still going on our short break next week and will be seeing friends and visiting my parents.
Don't forget if you want to be in with a chance to win my give-away you need to comment on the give-away post!
I have so enjoyed reading how everyone decorated their tables and hope whoever wins will take more inspiration from the book, although I think you are all very talented. But look at this brilliant quirky table I love it

Now I am off to curl up by the fire (when the OH has lit it!!!) and do some crochet I have only done 15 squares and worked out I need a 100, should keep me occupied for a while!

In With the New

2012-01-04T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well 2012 has arrived, and I don't know about you but it seems to be taking me a while to get motivated I would rather be curled up in front of the fire reading all my new books! But this can't go on and tomorrow sees the day when we take the christmas decorations down and finally the start to the New Year. The house is going to look so bare and I do love Christmas.
Projects must be started, fabrics are awaiting, goals need to be achieved, household chores to be done, plans for the garden the lists just goes on. I feel exhausted just writing it all down!

What can I grow this year, I have found out what doesn't do very well but these leeks seem to thrive,

I am determined to grow more cut flowers as it is such a joy to be able to constantly pick flowers from the garden for your house.

Also my geraniums don't seem to have been hit by cold weather and bulbs are beginning to peep through the soil.

Next week sees the start of one of our small little holidays that we have planned, this is a special treat for my OH whose birthday it was yesterday, I always feel so sorry for anyone who has a birthday in January!
But I don't want you to forget my give-away

so please if you haven't yet commented then please do on my give-away post as well as this one of course, I so love reading all your comments and I have had such lovely images in my mind of the tables that you have set for the Christmas Table. Here is another image that I love but then I am a bit of a fan of toile du jouy!

There was going to be a spectacular photo worthy of any prize of a hare standing upright against the darkening sky! guess what my image card was still in my laptop!! I hope he comes back.

Hope you all have a lovely week keep blogging and keep inspiring me.

Vintage Table Give-Away

2011-12-30T08:47:00.000-08:00

How quickly Christmas goes, but what a lovely and enjoyable time I had with my family, always sad when they go home the house is so quite. So we treated ourselves to a meal at this delightful village pub,

if you are ever in the area and want to splash out then this is the pub to go to The Masons Arms at Knowstone in Devon, we decided to come home for coffee, chocolates and liquers!!!!

The Christmas magazines have been awash with beautiful homes and the most stunning table settings, I would love to achieve these looks and maybe my christmas table although not worthy of a magazine shoot still doesn't look to bad!!!

So for my give-away I am giving away this lovely book The Vintage Table, with so many inspiring photos!

So to qualify for this give-away then I would like you to comment and tell me about how you decorated your christmas table, and if you feature the give-away on your blog, you will be entered twice into the draw. The winner will be drawn on the 15th January 2012.
I look forward to hearing from you all. But for now I would love to thank you all for the lovely comments and posts that you have given and done throughout 2011 everyone is so inspiring and so talented and I love nothing better than reading all your posts.

Happy New Year to you all and enjoy!!!

Lists and more Lists!

2011-12-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

Don't know about you but I am writing lists and more lists and now writing a list of things not to do!!!
But the house is now decorated and alot of the food prepared. Will I ever sit down. This is going to be a short post but I have taken a few photos of my house decorated and ready for the celebrations.

Tree decorated with all my favourite items especially the heart made from Murano glass and bought in Venice.

Painted some branches to make this tree for the sitting room

Love these lights I can see them staying put!

I love these large paper snowflakes I have quite a few scattered around the room

Decorations for the tables!

I think this will probably be my last post before Christmas so I would like to wish all you lovely bloggers a very Happy Christmas, and New Year, on my next blog I will reveal my give-away and all I can say it is it is very exciting!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow!!!!

2011-12-14T13:09:00.000-08:00

What can you find at the end of a rainbow, gold I hope I did look but it kept moving!!!
Considering its the run up to Christmas it has been quite relaxed in our house, we had a lovely few days away visiting friends and relatives. We spent the first few days with friends in Hampshire (back to where we come from!!) and visiting the most lovely house called Hinton Ampner

it was decorated for Christmas and after permission I was able to take some photos,it was the sort of house that you could imagine spending a very special Christmas there, Champagne and Canapes followed by a lovely dinner in the beautiful dining room.

The next day I visited a house that has been on my list of places to visit for quite a long time, Jane Austen's house, it is charming and well worth a visit.

A lovely few more days spent with my parents and family but it is now back to the preparations of Christmas, the house needs decorating, presents wrapped and food to be prepared.
I really love this time of year its just very special.

I did promise a give-away for when I reached 200 followers and now I have, so in the next few weeks I hope to bring you another give-away I have a few ideas in my head but you will
just have to be patient.
I know it is busy and we can't always find the time to blog, or to visit blogs, but hopefully I will find a few spare minutes to do so and blog again before Christmas.

Beautiful Singing!!

2011-12-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

Today quite a few years ago!!!! I had a lovely little boy. So Happy Birthday Alex and we will be celebrating with him having a meal at a new hotel in Exeter!!!
I know it is a little late but have started my christmas cooking including the pudding - they smell and look delicious.

Not only have I been cooking but after a lot of searching for the right lampshade shape I made some new lampshades for our bedroom they were so easy and look really pretty!! The room is getting quite girly now.

Now the Advent calendar is out (I decided not to sell to be honest I couldn't bear to part with it) I have filled some pockets with chocolates and others with small handcreams, lovely fridge magnet that I bought in the Country Living Fair from Roxana I have given you a link to look at her lovely artwork! A handbag mirror and some tiny bath smellies. Quite difficult to fill for a grown-up calendar!
I have decided to have a give-away as soon as I reach 200 followers, perhaps it will be before Christmas I do hope so, maybe there will be something in it, which I have featured in my photos today.

Well better get ready to start the celebrations, and hopefully this weekend I will be visiting the Vintage Christmas Fair at Chipping Sodbury.
And just to finish I am going to add this You Tube clip I deny anyone to watch it and not cry!!

Who will win the Yule Log Competion!!!!

2011-11-23T14:57:00.000-08:00

Last friday saw me on my way to one of my favourite places in Cornwall, (no not the beach) but the lovely Cowslip Workshop run by Jo Cowill. Every year she runs a Christmas Fair, full of stalls with so many things to choose from, vintage, handmade, french fabrics, pottery and this sweet reindeer plate found its way home just right for my mince pie!

But this year unknown to me there seemed to be twice as many people there, maybe it is going to be bigger this year I thought, but no the place was a buzz around a marquee where ladies were bringing in their Yule Logs to be judged and one lady in particular was joining the competion our very own Kirstie Allsop, she was there filming her programme Kirstie's Handmade Britain. I can't tell you whether she won or not as we were all prevented from entering the tent!! If you read my blog from further afield then the UK - then this lady makes a television programme promoting Homemade Crafts in England.

I did manage to sneak a few photos but only on my phone so it looks like she has a flower growing from her head!!
I promised you on one of my last posts that I would show you what I bought in Anthropologie in London, well these cute measuring bowls shown on my shelf which I have just painted in Farrow and Ball light blue only yesterday, a job I have been meaning to do since we moved here,

(sorry I should have done some before photos but it was a grim yellow pine!!) just shows what a pot of paint can do.

As you can see I did buy my morrocan lights. I also treated myself to this top while in Anthropologie I haven't worn it yet but I am sure I will find somewhere to where it!!!

Busy weekend ahead going to my first Christmas event at Knightshayes Court to a 40s style Tea Dance, perhaps I will wear my top. Hope everyone is having a lovely week and enjoying the crisp days and sunshine. I would also like to thank you all for your fabulous comments on my Advent Calendar I have decided not to sell it as I don't think I would get the price that it is worth, but that is another story! A final picture of a visitor to my garden this morning!!

Finished at last!!

2011-11-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

I seem to have had a busy week, visiting the Country Living Fair last Wednesday.

I have been going for quite a few years now and although I always enjoy the fair I do think there are too many exhibitors selling scarfs and jewellery, anyone else agree. After the fair thought I might take a look at Anthropologie in Regent Street and of course didn't leave empty handed so will let you know what I bought when I have taken photos.

Can you hear the drum roll yes at long last I have finished the advent calendar, I have used old french linen for the backing and different vintage french fabrics for the remainder including crystals bought from a Paris Flea market

What do you think?
Off to read some blogs while sitting by the log fire - seems like winter is just around the corner.

My favourite time of Year

2011-11-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but it is only in the last week that I think the colours of Autumn have truly come to their best. We have had some lovely fine days here in Devon which I have taken full advantage of and been outside as much as possible. Today we went for a walk hope you like the photos the colours were fabulous.

Lunch or maybe not!!

Last weekend I visited the Vintage Fair in Frome unfortuantely I didn't take any photos but there were so many beautiful things and every stall was a treat for your eyes. Definitely worth a visit you can see where the fairs are held if you visit Lizzies lovely blog The Washerwoman where she lists all the fairs. We also visited one of my favourite seaside towns in Dorset Lyme Regis - it was packed so many people enjoying the sunshine, you would think it was summer.

I love Lyme especially the pretty houses along the front. This weekend saw us at another Antiques Fair where I picked up these pretty cups,

fell in love with them so had to have them of course!!
I know I haven't taken many photos of my home recently so here is just a few (actually its our front door porch)

The Angel I acquired recently she has a lovely smile. I still haven't finished my Advent Calender it really is a labour of love perhaps next time I will have some photos for you.
Have a lovely week everyone - I am off to London on Wednesday to visit the Country Living Christmas Fair meeting my sister, so no doubt money will be spent!!! Country Girl up in the smoke!!!
have fun

Not quite Midsummer!!

2011-10-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

We spent the weekend with my sister and she took us to this delightful village,

I just wanted to share with you these quaint thatched cottages, of course there was a great pub in the village and it would have been rude not to visit and sample their drink and food!!

This lovely lane almost looks spring like with the greenery around hard to believe that we are way into Autumn!

I think this one is a holiday cottage!!which is owned by the Pub The Langton Arms

On our way home we visited this very old mill called Whitemill owned by the National Trust and although they were just closing when we arrived I thought it was worth a photo opportunity. I believe there has been a mill on this site for nearly 800 years obviously not this one which I think was built in the 18th century.

Anyone who comes from Dorset might just recognise where it is, the village is Tarrant Monkton, near Blandford Forum in Dorset.
We arrived home to a very damp Devon, but the morning greeted me with this wonderful view of the sun coming up with the mist in the town down below, it was stunning but I am glad we have no neighbours as it would have been a sight to see me taking photos in my nightie!!!

I am busy at the moment making advent calenders, and I am sure that the time I have spent on them you can never redeem in money, it is a shame that the things made by hand never realise their true worth when sold on the marketplace, but heyho such is life, and I am really enjoying making them, when I have finished I will post some photos.
I promise I will get round to visiting all your lovely blogs very soon, hopefully tomorrow when I have a quite moment or two!!

More finds and everyday things!

2011-10-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Our neighbour who has a polytunnel (I don't really like them!) is able to grow lots of food throughout the year where as mine seem to be failing due to so many caterpillars, who would have thought that growing vegetables could be so frustrating. She grows amazing watercress and as she and her husband can't eat all that they grow I am able to pick whatever we need - brilliant neighbour! Watercress reminds me of markets in France where it is so readily available and I love making soup with it - I don't particularly follow a recipe, just fry onions with some potatoes in oil add some vegetable or chicken stock and then the watercress for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Whizz it up with some creme fraiche and a little gorgonzala cheese and seasoning and voila!!!

Sunday we went to Shepton Flea market and for once it didn't rain! I forgot my camera but took these photos of the lovely Lizzie's stall a fellow blogger with my phone! Doesn't the stall look lovely she has amazing things and a wonderful collection of vintage fabrics.

I also found this eiderdown usually they are really expensive but this wasn't too bad and it was perfect with no flaws at all, these lovely french tea towels were only £3 each - a bargain!

I found this hat in a delightful new Vintage Shop in South Molton it is so sweet I think it is 1940s/1950s and just fits on the back of my head, I love hats and I can see myself wearing this one all the time this winter.

Today I have been trying to get some order into this house and doesn't it feel great when the house looks lovely - but I just can't see it lasting.
Keep smiling, sewing, cooking, crocheting, gardening, knitting and all those lovely things - I so love visiting all your blogs and seeing so much talent it is just great!

Last Minute Holiday!

2011-10-08T04:51:00.000-07:00

I have been away ( I know I can hear you all saying what again!!) yes we went somewhere very warm, with lovely blue skies, beautiful beaches warm seas, lovely food. Have you guessed where - The Garden of England Kent and weren't we lucky with the weather. We visited the lovely Pippa at The Tower House in Tenterden, a beautiful b & b which I couldn't recommend more, I have wrote about it before I think last September 2010.

We visited Ellen Terrys house at Smallhythe which is near Tenterden very interesting the house is so pretty and really worth a visit.
Spent time on Winchelsea beach

The Sugar Cube House!

along the front these interesting houses border the beach, you might recognise one as it was featured on Grand Designs, and is known as the Sugar Cube house for obvious reasons. Next to it is a Huff House,

and further along a very modern house with bright furniture on the balconies.

Now I appreciate the architecture and the modern concept but it really isn't for me.

Saturday saw us off on the Steam Train from Tenterden to Bodiam

Bodiam Castle

(which I think is the one used in Downton Abbey) and then enjoyed the Folk Festival in Tenterden in the afternoon.

It seems that this is the last of our summer, but what a lovely way to end it - the fires are lit

I am busy again with the sewing machine with lots of ideas going around my head. Catalogues and brochures are arriving on the doormat and evenings spent making wish lists!! I do have my eye on these, and my hand is hovering over the add to basket!

Off to Shepton tomorrow for the Flea market so will let you know if I buy anything.

Summer is Slipping Away

2011-09-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Coming down to my workroom first thing in the morning the other day, and the sun was just coming up, and what a sight it was to, I just had to grab my camera, it is such a shame that the day starts so beautifully and then goes downhill in just a few hours.

I can already see changes in the views from the house, the fields have been harvested and the hedges are now full of pips and still the odd flower of the honeysuckle.

The nights are drawing in and our evening walks will soon cease. We are already lighting the fire in the sitting room to take the chill off the evening, so its back to cosy evenings, reading and crocheting by the fire! I still have some flowers left in the garden and have been out with my camera to capture the last buds.

I am also having a battle with caterpillars to stop them eating my sprouting broccoli! But my borlotti beans are great I just love the colour

At long last after what seems quite a break I have motivated myself into sewing again, I think it is just making the start that can be the stumbling block, but now I have started I am enjoying being creative again with my sewing machine. They will be winging their way to the lovely shop The Perfect Whimsy in the Cotswolds.

Now back in the the swing of everything so its time to visit all my fellow bloggers, I am sorry if I haven't left comments for a while but I promise I will do!! Have a lovely rest of the week

A Beautiful City

2011-09-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well it feels a little chilly after the beautiful sun of Seville. It was a lovely city break and we loved it. It has Moorish Architecture, beautiful gardens and Palaces.
I will just give you a little feel of this beautiful city.

This was the name of our hotel a beautiful small hotel, very stylish and definitely one I would recommend, Casa No 7

I know this is difficult to see but they had these annoying bars, but the colours of the flamenco costumes were stunning!

This is the Alcazar a beautiful Palace, I could bore you to death with lots of photos but I think these just capture the Palace. It is also a place where I think brides can come and have their photos taken and I managed to capture this one, it is so lovely that they base their wedding dresses on the traditional flamenco dress.

An elegant guest with the lovely headdress!

This is the Place to Espana, the tiles where just spectacular.Then in contrast one evening we came across this Architectural monster, they call it the Mushroom, not too sure what it was all about as was not in the guide books, but looked amazing against the night-time skyline.

Pastries to die for!

I love these lanterns

I came across this vintage shop and loved this little chair

We also visited Casa de Pilatos yes named after Pontius Pilate as the palace is inspired by his Palace in Jerusalem!

the colour of these walls so warm and sunny

and these tiles were so beautiful.

Well we are home now and Autumn seems to be creeping in this evening I can't see out of the window because we are shrouded in mist, perhaps tomorrow will be sunny. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Holiday Weekend

2011-09-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever come across a Country House Boot Sale,

they are a cross between a boot sale and an antique flea market, and the one we visited last Saturday was very good with lots of goodies.
My first find was this french wire basket another lovely addition to my dresser.

I also found this lovely vintage vanity case, a little tired, but still in very good condition especially the inside. Very in vogue will I sell I think not.

2 beautiful cups alas no saucers but still very pretty.

Picnic on Exmoor on Sunday, loved these sheep who seemed to have escaped from the field,

also visited the lovely village of Winsford on the edge of Exmoor with a
great pub, and pretty cottages,

Suddenly had the urge to make these lovely coffee cakes (at the request of Alex my son)

I think in this world there are people who cook without mess or ones that don't and I am afraid I am the later. If anyone wants the recipe just let me know.

Planted more winter vegetables in the garden, and it will be a battle between me and the slugs and caterpillars, picked runner beans now every day, the OH wonders if there
are any different kind of vegetable we could eat but what is wrong with runner beans I ask.
Well this weekend we are off to Seville for a short City break and no doubt you will hear more. So I hope all my fellow bloggers have a lovely weekend and that next week doesn't seem too quite when all the little ones go back to school!! Thank you everyone for all the lovely comments we had about out anniversary they were all lovely. To end this post some flowers for you all.

You Guessed it was a Wedding Anniversary!!

2011-08-23T04:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for all your lovely comments on my last post, I know it has been a while but it seems to have been a very busy time at the moment. But you might have guessed that it was a special anniversary for us. So hard to believe but we had a lovely time and if any one wants a special event then I couldn't recommend more where we had ours in the beautiful Combe House Devon Hotel.

So here is just a few photos of our lovely day.

Friends and family coming together, there was such joy and fun that day

My long time very special friend

and of course a very lovely lady my mother who looked amazing.

It was a very special day for the both of us and of course we stayed the night in one of their beautiful rooms. Now it is still busy busy as we are getting ready for a short break to Seville staying in a hotel called Casa Numero 7 we have never been to Spain so this will be a new adventure. I am sorry if I have not been able to visit you lately but hope to catch up with everyone this week. Off to sort out the garden today hopefully the showers will bypass Devon!!!

Our Special Day

2011-08-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

Our special day and it was wonderful, will tell you all about it later, still on cloud 9!!!

Riots in London

2011-08-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

I am not going to write a long posting on the events that have happened in our lovely country in the last few days, but wanted to show you that the following photos depict that this is the real Great Britain and it makes me proud to be British!

The Week of Celebrations are just beginning!

2011-08-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

I am so going to bore you all - but the week of celebrations have arrived and for my special birthday tommorrow ( I have been allowed it a day early) the OH has bought me a SLR camera, had to show you the photos that I have taken with it already! They are all around the garden have not yet ventured any further but here goes what do you think?

Have you got this far, you will be glad to know there are no more well not untill tomorrow!!! When no doubt I will be practising some more! Hope you all had a lovely weekend ours was a little damp. Celebrated one of our son's birthday with barbeque - spent most of it running indoors to shelter from rain well that's an English summer for you. Look forward to your comments I really love reading them all.

Time Flies

2011-08-01T15:06:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it is nearly 3 weeks since I last wrote my blog, we have had visitors and a lovely time with my Mum & Dad who loved our new home.

I have also been out and about looking for bargains and couldn't believe my luck when I saw this chair in the road in a nearby village, how much do you want for the chair I ask - £5 he said and it was in the back of my car before you could say Jack Robinson (hope I am not the only one that knows that saying) of course I had to investigate further into the shop and found these lanterns for £2 each a real snip and I think they will look very chic with a new coat of paint.

I have also been trawling ebay for a basket and was lucky enough to win this one and I have to say have not stopped using it since it arrived in the post, my Mum said it reminded her of the basket that her Mother used to take shopping every day.

I have also discovered this new magazine,

and can't wait to start on some of the new projects, especially these little purses they are so cute!

The garden is coming on a treat now, and we are enjoying the fruits of our labours - I don't think we have visited the vegetable aisle in the supermarket for a while now, it is lovely to base your meals around what produce you can pick in the morning.

The blues of the lavender and this small thistle flower look perfect together.

I am so sorry that I have not had time to visit all your lovely blogs but promise to do so very soon. Have a lovely week and enjoy the summer weather.

Flowers on a Summer's morning

2011-07-11T23:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to share with you the lovely summer morning (yesterday!!) where I wondered around the garden first thing and picked these lovely bright summery flowers.

Not so good this morning but the paint brush awaits my attention as I need to get one of my bedrooms ready for some very special visitors my parents!! Plus the sewing machine will be at the ready to make the curtains. Have a lovely Tuesday.

Miss Marple for a Day!

2011-07-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we awoke to a lovely morning and we had promised ourselves that the first fine day we would head towards the South Hams in Devon, our first stop was the market town of Totnes

and Friday was market day, so it was busy but there are amazing little shops in Totnes and you could be there for hours, - but there is only so much shopping the OH can manage, so we had packed a picnic and heading for the lovely village of Dittisham which stands on the River Dart.

The Ferry!!!

There was a reason for us to pick this lovely village because from there you can get a ferry across to the other side of the river to the home of Agatha Christie which is called Greenway.

This house is a new acquisition of the National Trust and if ever any of you are in this part of England it is definitely worth a visit,so many collections of china and so pretty! the house is just as it was when she lived there, you can't take photos of the inside so I only have 2 of the house outside. But the scenery is stunning

and there are many walks down to the boathouse where she based one of her novels I think it was Dead Man's Folly. It was such a lovely day, you have to ring for the boat to come and get you,

Dittisham is also worth a visit, full of quaint cottages and steep narrow lanes.

Sunday was another picnic day and we headed to Tarr Steps in Exmoor, it was lovely to see everyone picnicking and enjoying the weather, and the Exmoor ponies came to say hello.

I am sorry if I haven't been able to visit any of your blogs recently I must try to do so, but sometimes time just seems to run away with you, we have had lots of visitors and have been getting ready (well I have been trying to find something new to wear) for our party in August, we also nearly heading to Seville for a weekend, but seeing that the temperatures were going to be in the 40s this weekend we decided to leave it until it becomes a little cooler, 40 I think is too hot in a city!!

Have a lovely weekend and keep commenting as I really love hearing from you all.

Summer Arrived eventually - for a day or two

2011-06-29T04:34:00.000-07:00

Summer finally came well at least from Saturday afternoon onwards, and it was so nice on Saturday to meet a fellow blogger Lizzie from her lovely blog The Washerwoman at the Rag Fair in Honiton, where I found some pretty french fabrics.

On our way home we stopped at a lovely village called Broadhembury so it was definitely time to get my camera out and take a few photos of the lovely cottages,

hope the owners don't mind!

in the evening we went on one of our favourite walks along the canal.

Sunday was beautiful, - don't we talk about the weather a lot in this lovely country of ours! maybe it is because I think we are all secret sun lovers, but how mad is that when we live in England, where the weather is so unpredictable! we had visitors for tea and it was lovely just sitting in the garden! I would also like to show you a small piece of our garden that I really love, it has a glass roof so the sun can shine through!

The heart was a very new acquisition that I bought on Monday when we visited Sherborne (sorry forgot to take photos!)

Sun going down on Sunday Evening

Today has seen me picking fruit and sorting out the vegetables, we have just dug up our first potatoes they are really scrumptious. Well think that is all for now see you all soon, have a great week - mine hasn't started too bad as I have just won the give-away from Elaine from Ted & Bunny blog.

Sarah's Kitchen Party

2011-06-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

Today I am joining Sarah at Modern Country Style for her Kitchen Party and I hope I have chosen the right dress!

The idea was to post about your favourite item in the kitchen, or your kitchen, or maybe something you yearn for. Guess what I am going to be greedy and do 2 of these things. My kitchen at the moment is new to me only lived here now for nearly 2 months, but it is quirky with nothing matching and not at all bespoke but I love it. But in all my kitchens one of my favourite items is the lovely pottery that I have collected over the years from France, most of it comes from a village called St Quentin de la Poterie near Uzes in the Gard region, and as the name denotes it is a village with alot of Artists mostly potters. Everytime I look at my pots it takes me make to hot summer days in this lovely area of the Provence, so now I will share it with you.

But of course I said I would share with you 2 things, the second (if ever I have LOADS of money) is to have a Plain English Kitchen or maybe just a small part of one of these kitchens - I just adore the simplicity of them and the craftmanship that is obviously involved in the design, they are just superb.

Sorry I am going to indulge again, but don't you just love flowers in your kitchen, and the perfume from these lovely sweet peas when I came down this morning was gorgeous.
See you all at Sarah's, have a lovely weekend

Where is our Summer!!!

2011-06-22T11:43:00.000-07:00

Despite the weather we ventured out, I had read about a restaurant called 10 The Square

in a nearby village of Wiveliscombe, it only opens Friday and Saturday so we decided to try it out, it was so lovely just as I like it very relaxed and served lovely food as there website says a taste of Tuscany, they also do one day cookery classes which I think I may go on! As you can see from the photos the sun did come out for a while. We then ventured on to Cothay Manor where there was a plant sale, lovely stalls, and I came away with some pots and some new plants for the garden.

lovely cottages in the grounds

not many takers of this lovely ice-cream stall

It was such a shame that it rained and we spent most of our time in the marquee, (sipping a few glasses of Rose!) as the proceeds was going to the local hospice.

I don't know about you but I have a few on-line shops that I really love one of these is Cox and Cox and I have my eye on the following items,

love the lights they would look so nice in the garden on a lovely warm summers evening - I can dream you know! and the blackboard is just what I need for the kitchen.
See you all on Friday when I join the lovely blog Modern Country Style Kitchen Favourites link party, if you want to join in just follow the link opposite.

Celebrations!

2011-06-17T03:48:00.000-07:00

We have a special celebration this year (well actually we have 2) and we have been deliberating what to do, shall we have a lunch time garden party, shall we go off for a romantic holiday, but the OH said no we should celebrate but without the work involved, so we have booked a lunch party at this most beautiful hotel in the Devon Countryside,Combe House Devon

voted apparently the most Romantic hotel in England!!! (and we are staying the night!!)

Really excited now with lots of things going on in my head mostly what shall I wear!! I found this lady who made me the most beautiful invites they arrived individually boxed and tied with red ribbon,

so if any of you are thinking of arranging an event I would so recommend her Debbie Jenkins is her name. (I know I could have made them, but I think it is sometimes nice to support other craft workers)

I have also been making a few purchases and loved this butterfly for the garden from Dee Puddy I think I may send for another one.

I have been indulging in my favorite past time flea markets, and picked up this lovely teapot for £5 8 plates for £7 and my OH found the candlestick at the local tip!!!! just needed some loving care.

Been busy cooking and had my sister and her husband to stay. we had a lovely weekend although a bit of a wet one, when is summer coming, the rain is pouring and I have loads of fruit to pick!! Last week with the glut of strawberries I made ice-cream swopping some of the cream for devon clotted cream have to say it was delicious, if anyone wants the recipe I will print it for you, I don't have an icecream machine so have to stir it every 30 mins for the first few hours, but not really too time consuming.

I think I might have to make a gooseberry crumble or maybe a more healthier goosberry fool, only healthy if I use yoghurt and not cream.

This week I had an early birthday present from Marcus (my eldest) I know it is not everyones taste, but this was some show!! I went to see Take That in Cardiff and they were amazing, as well as the Pet Shop Boys. It was a great day, and Cardiff is a fabulous city with some really good shops including new John Lewis, and a lovely vintage shop called Vintage Affair,

Marcus went and had coffee while I spent sometime in this shop. Of course we needed to lunch and the restaurant Jamie's (Jamie Oliver's) beckoned and it would have been very rude to walk buy so we had a lovely lunch before the show!

a really smasing day and all thanks to Marcus.

A little bit of a city girl!

2011-06-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

I think I have mentioned a while ago how lovely it would be to live in the country and still be close to a town so that I could have a little bit of cafe culture every now and then.

So Thursday morning after only a 20 minute drive we were having breakfast in a cafe overlooking the lovely cathedral in Exeter, and then on to the farmers market,

so nice to be able to do this I can't tell you. This week has been quite, but it has been lovely spending time in the garden, walking and meeting our new neighbours, although the nearest is half a mile away everyone seems so friendly and we have already been invited to lots of village events. Saturday we decided to have a day out and visit Arlington Court, but I was only able to take one photo as guess what it poured with rain, but needless to say Arlington Court is in North Devon and it is renowned for its bad weather.

We have been picking strawberries, peas and broad beans,

and as you can see it was so lovely to pick the strawberries and then have them for breakfast!

Today I made gooseberry and elderflower ice cream which reminds me I must go and give it another stir, I don't have an ice-cream maker!!!

Have a lovely week everyone and I will leave you with a few photos of my garden.

A Dilemma!

2011-05-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Well what a miserable day, it has been rainy and misty and cold all day - so after a morning of sewing I decided I would think about what sort of fabrics and what look I would like to achieve in my bedroom. Do I go for pretty country look with flowers and patterns, or for a classic French look using old white linen sheets for the curtains, lots of monogramme cushions, grey painted furniture, it sounds like I might have decided so what do you think of these looks:

I have also decided to update my banner with a more summery look, and add a few more photos so seems like I am back in the swing of blogging again. After reading a few of your lovely blogs I came to realise that I wasn't the only one having trouble with commenting on blogs, but I think I know how to get around it, you need to go to the settings of the comments page and tick the pop up window box, and then when you sign in to Google don' t tick the box which says keep me signed in. It worked for me. Hope it helps anyone having a problem. Off to hit the ironing basket now! have a lovely rest of your holiday weekend.

At Long Last!!

2011-05-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

You know I said that you can't live by views alone, sorry I was wrong, our new home has the most spectacular views that you don't tire of you can't help but to stop and stare. We can see as far as the Wellington Monument in Somerset to the Gap at Sidmouth so it is about a 25 mile view!!

Obviously as I am writing this I am back on line, but I won't bore you with that. The move went very well, lovely sunny day and it seemed to take them no time to move us in. The house is an old Farmhouse, and although the outside of it is not as pretty as our last cottage it certainly makes up for it inside and out,

I have also been spoilt in the fact that the house does not need anything doing to it, it has lovely wooden floors, quirky kitchen,

modern bathroom,

and new windows, I am not a fan of these type of windows, but have to say that after our last house which was a littly drafty I can see why people have them, the house is lovely cosy and warm. It also retains original old doors,

a few beams and a brilliant wood burner,

which we have already used and wow does it chuck out the heat. All I have to do is soft furnishings so I have my interiors hat on for this, and will keep you posted when I have found what I want.

The garden was already set out in what I feel is a mediterranean style very much like the gardens in provence, but I do still have a lawn. Its a lovely mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables and I have already planted my runner beans, french beans, and hopefully borlotti beans as well as courgettes onions and so many fruits I will be making jam for ever. I hope you like the few photos which has given you a snippet of our new home and the photo of a pheasant and her 12 chicks!! We also have a partridge which taps on our utility window.

My sewing room is now ready for use and I already have some orders so I need to get sewing, but I don't know about you, but I am finding it difficult to spread my time between the garden, the house and my sewing, I think I will have to start planning my days! Now for my favourite thing and what I have missed and that is catching up with all your lovely blogs and that is what I am going to do right now. I look forward to hearing from you all and I am now officially back into blogging land!!!

Its been a while

2011-05-22T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well I am still around, but having a frustrating time at the moment and you can guess what is holding me up, two little letters BT!!!! I am writing this while pinching my son's laptop, but hopefully I will be up and running next week and let you know how the move went and how we are enjoying our lovely new home!! with lots of pics. I have certainly missed reading all your blogs and can't wait to be back into blog land! So see you all very soon, and hope you all had a lovely weekend, oh and where has the sun gone!!!

Goodbye Church Lodge!!

2011-04-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Well moving day arrived, and it couldn't have been better, beautiful blue sky and while we were waiting for the removal lorry, we had our breakfast in the garden. Hard to believe as it was only hours before this that everywhere I turned I saw something I had forgotten to pack!

I seem to have been working non stop in the last few days, but today there really isn't much I can do, and I am getting in the way, so I took myself off and read a book in the garden and enjoyed the sunshine. Last check in the house after the removal men had gone to find curtain poles behind the door, half the hoover left and there sitting on the floor the telephone!! so everything thrown in the car and off to Bournemouth to stay with my sister for 2 weeks, as we are not moving into our new home until beginning of May.

Days on the beach!! and a restful 2 weeks until the unpacking begins.

Can't believe this weather, is it really April apparently we are hotter than the Greek islands, hard to believe, and I wonder how long it will last.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter with lots of chocolate and sunshine!

A good tidy up!!!

2011-04-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

It has certainly been a busy week, but with this lovely weather who wants to be inside packing so I am afraid not a lot has been done, but doesn’t the sun make everything feel so much better.

Had this lovely postcard in the post and made me think of a party that we are planning this August so with this in mind I thought I would buy some of these to hang in the garden

I have great plans for a party in my new garden to celebrate a very special anniversary that we are celebrating this year!

It has been a real busy week, Wednesday saw us hiring a van now I know you are not going to believe this but we still had a crate of furniture left in store from when we moved from France, it wasn’t full of French furniture unfortunately – but would you believe it most of it was full of my son’s University furniture and books and LPs as well as a rather smart sofa from our French house so as you can imagine this was soon snapped up by one of our sons and the rest either went to our tip or back to its rightful owner! But amongst everything I found this, it was a lovely quilt which was made by my friend Marion for the birth of my third son Alex for his pram, I think the pattern is called the friendship star, so I was so pleased to find it again, and I will find a home for it in our new home

I have also been busy washing quilts blankets and lot of baskets that I seem to have all over the house, and with this weather all has been able to dry in the garden

It was lovely to walk around the garden and see so many plants growing, it was also a little sad as I won’t see most of them flower, the apple blossom is trying so hard to come out and maybe I will see it before we move.

I have also been busy with the paint brush!

But today was a day off and we packed a picnic and headed to the coast,

it was so warm hard to believe that by Wednesday it is going to be cold and wet again! Maybe I will get some packing done I am reluctant to pack everything away as although I am looking forward to our move I will miss the house and it seems so final when the walls are bare all the books packed and it turns into just a house and not a home.

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend, and I promise I will try and get to visit you all, sorry I have been a little lapse lately!

Time for Family

2011-04-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is going to have to be a short post - only 2 weeks to go before we move so really busy at the moment.
But on Saturday I thought I would have a bit of a diversion and make cupcakes to take to my sons on Sunday, if I say so myself don't they look too pretty to eat.

I was thoroughly spoilt by all of my 3 sons, they cooked a wonderful lunch and I had a few little treats along the way.

I have been looking at this book for a while now and it has lots of lovely things to make

Love this bag!

A great smelly candle in this lovely pot,

flowers books and a cd which I think everyone must have!!

But I had better get back to this......

Spent today sorting out my clothes, 2 large bags off to the charity shop nothing like a move to make you sort out you things.
I will try and catch up with you all very soon I promise and thank you for all your lovely comments I do love reading them.

I just can't help myself sometimes.

2011-03-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

I know I have alot going on here at the moment, packing cases arriving on Thursday ready for us to pack, but sometimes I just like to dream of my favourite places to stay. We have a very special place that we love to go to (when we can afford to) It is in Monmouthshire and the food is great the rooms wonderful and the walks are divine

Its called The Bell at Skenfrith, I am afraid I don't have many photos except one of the outside and one of one of the rooms.

You can just see it in the distance

But I have to say most of all that I love to go to France and I just can't wait to go again, so here are some beautiful places for me and you to savour.

Beautiful place in Lagrasse

Restaurant to die for near Pont du Gard calle LisaM

divine house to rent in Normandy

I just loved this one we stayed there for one night last year La Ferme and I couldn't recommend it more.

This is a very famous restaurant just outside Uzes called Le Tracteur where the chef does not decide what the menu is until 6 in the evening so worth it!!

I know I should not be thinking of such things but a girls got to dream, and maybe once we have moved I will be visiting France once more.

Isn't it a shame that we seem to be having some rain at the moment, for some unknown reason we think once the sun comes out its going to stay out forever, but come on this is Great Britain we are talking about here!!

Fame at last!!

2011-03-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Wow what a beautiful day - I know I should be packing or even sewing, but that sun was just begging me to enjoy it! So picnic packed we set off to the lovely bay of Crackington Haven in Cornwall, this is such an idyllic spot with a lovely beach, pub and 2 cafes. So of course to start the day what else but a lovely glass of Rose,

then a picnic on the beach, it was lovely to see people enjoying it and even a game of cricket!

Then the walk along the South West Coast path, quite steep but such stunning views.

On the way back we passed this lovely cottage, I love the colour blue on the doors and windows.

We then passed a lovely cottage with a water fall in the garden, how lovely it must be to sit in your garden and watch this.

But finally and here is a clue to the title of the post, I spotted this notice on the telephone box, but guess what we were a day too late.

For any of you lovely bloggers who live further afield than the UK this is a famous television programme which is filmed in Cornwall with the lovely Martin Clunes!

I think we may have found it!!

2011-03-19T12:02:00.000-07:00

I am keeping very quite but I think we have found our new home!! If I say thatched, pretty, beams - in the country yet near a city I will say no more, but I think by May we will be in our new home - I will keep you posted. but keep any photos until we have moved in.
It was such a beautiful day when we found it, and had our first picnic here,

and then bumped into these little fellows who seem to have strayed out of their field.
Today once again blue skys and it was a trip to our nearby beach

then back home for tea and lovely toasted fruit loaf

and then to watch the Rugby I have to say the OH is not very happy at the moment!!
I meanwhile am going through all my magazines

I have to get rid of some of the old ones as I have a cupboard full and now I need to start to think about packing up this house and starting afresh!!
I hope you all are having a lovely weekend and hope you all have this lovely sunshine that we have had today, a sign of warmer days to come. I have loved all your comments and know I have been remiss in not visiting you all - but I am setting aside some time tomorrow to visit you all.

AND THE WINNER IS ........

2011-03-13T01:40:00.000-08:00

The time has arrived for me to annouce the winner of my Give Away.

Now bear with me as this is the first one I have done! I went through all your blogs to make sure that anyone that had mentioned the giveaway had 2 goes - by this time the OH was getting a little bored and suggested that everybody should have 2 goes - but no that wasn't the rules!!! So at midnight (yes I was still up) we drew the winner,

drum roll now.....
And the winner is

from the lovely blog creJJtion in Amsterdam. I am so pleased for her she has the most creative blog so do visit her. Maaike if you could email me with your address then I will post it off to you tomorrow!! I had to reinact the draw this morning to get better photos!
Do you like the bowl?

On Friday I wasn't feeling 100% so the OH who was at an Antiques Auction came back with this lovely bowl for me, it also had 6 little fruit bowls to go with it, isn't it pretty!!

Thank you everyone for entering and leaving me such lovely comments, maybe I will do it again soon. Visiting another property on Tuesday a Farmhouse sounds promising, but we will see! Have a lovely Sunday everyone and congratulations again to Maaike

Celebrations

2011-03-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Well I have not been very good with writing my blog recently or for that matter visiting blogs so I am sorry – but I have been a little busy, first of all we had the celebration of my fathers birthday he was 90

and we had a lovely family day very enjoyable. So we have been away for a while and as well as the birthday celebrations we have had a great weekend with my sister pub lunches at Mudeford with the its lovely views of the Isle of Wight

as well as visiting the New Forest it was such beautiful weather and I love the ponies.

I have also spent the rest of my time attached to my laptop everyday searching for this elusive home! So no luck on that front yet I can feel a Kirsty moment coming on where I can hear the words compromise, but it really is not in my vocabulary but I think it might have to be! But, I would like a sitting room like this ...

a dining room like this

a pretty bedroom

maybe a bathroom like this or maybe not

I love the beams and ceiling light in this one!

Lovely to dream

I can hear someone (the OH) saying and pigs might fly!!

Now for my give-away I can’t believe all the lovely comments I have had and I will be drawing someones name out of the hat on Sunday morning.

So 2 more days to go!

Bits and Bobs

2011-02-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

I am sitting in my sitting room, I have to say feeling a little full after a lovely Sunday lunch, (the OH doing all the clearing up) thinking I really need to post more on my blog. I have been a little distracted with all this house searching – and not finding anything we like. I think I have mini square eyes from the computer, searching every house website day in day out looking for that elusive home. So this weekend I am giving myself a break. Half way through the week a surprise arrived in the post care of my son Alex a new book by Edna O’Brien,

I love this author and when I was in my teens I so enjoyed The Country Girls and August is a Wicked Month, this book is full of great short stories, all based in Ireland. A really good read, so I have added one of my favourite paintings its so beautiful, her dress is such a lovely vibrant yellow and of course she is reading! Although I don’t think it was Edna O’Brien!!

Along with the searching for a home I have been sewing madly for the lovely Joasia at The Perfect Whimsey as well as a few more commissions via Etsy

and of course the usual trips to Waitrose,

how did that get in my basket!
The weather here has been awful - dull grey and wet except for Thursday when we ventured into Topsham which is a lovely village just outside Exeter,

it was so warm that we didn’t even need a coat it was great also to see an old friend Teresa who has just opened up her new interior design shop – it looked amazing she should be so proud.

I know this isn’t a very exiting post this week but I just think it is the time of year, winter still seems to be hanging on and there is only a few signs of spring to come.

But there was a little highlight to the end of the week, I have to say that our whole family are great Rugby fans and as Sharon from My French Country Living said this was the weekend for LE CRUNCH, France V England, and triumphant we were especially when this man came on the pitch!!!

Now back to serious things My Giveaway,

just another little peep at the vintage confiture jar - fresh snowdrops I have masses in the garden this year. I have been so pleased with all the comments left and wish you all luck, please keep commenting and adding my photo to your blog for an extra chance to win.
Have a lovely week everyone.

My long awaited Give-away

2011-02-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

I know I promised I would do a giveaway when I reached 100 followers, but I have passed that so have been busy getting everything together so here goes.

I am giving away to one of you lovely bloggers, a cushion cover made with vintage fabrics, a pretty lavender filled (provence of course) heart using once again vintage fabrics and an old french confiture jar which I bought at a flea market in France.

Sorry can't send the snowdrops, but it just goes to show how versatile the jars are!!
All you have to do is leave me a comment for one chance of winning, post my little giveaway photo and link on your blog for an extra chance. I expect all you very experienced bloggers will see that I haven't done this before but heyho here goes.
Its been a little bit of an up and down week, looked at rubbish houses!!! had very sad and tragic news from a friend, and ran out of heating oil, thank god for open fires and Rayburns!!

So I look forward to hearing from all of you

On the move!!

2011-02-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

I am always so surprised of the time between each one of my posts, where does time go! It could be the fact that we have been a little busy here We are on the move again, having just sold our house we are now busy trying to find a new home,

I know some of you will be saying why leave such a lovely home, and you would be right, but although I love my house I have to say that we have not been very happy in this part of Devon, I know the coastline around here is spectacular, but you can't live by views alone, and I do miss being able to walk around nice shops, having coffee out and just generally being able to live life a little bit more to the full. We are not deserting Devon just heading a little more East!

Now on our quest to look for this elusive house we have been travelling around Devon, and I would love to tell you about this lovely village which nestles on the edge of Dartmoor, called North Bovey it has a lovely pub called The Ring of Bells and is ideal place to nosy round the lovely village, as you can see by the photos.

The Ring of Bells

Lovely views of Dartmoor

Told you I was nosy

This beautiful cottage is available to rent for holidays its gorgeous and has been featured in lots of magazines

I haven't forgotten my give-away I thought I would have more time, but no I have reached over 100, so I promise that next time I post I will reveal what I am going to give-away.

Love all the comments you have left so please when you drop by I would love to hear from you.

Tantalising Glimpses

2011-02-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

I love a walk in the country, or by the sea but one of my favourite walks are around lovely cities or pretty villages, most of all so that I can peep into beautiful houses and cottages.

I don't think I am being nosy, well maybe a little - its the tantalising glimpses into other peoples lives and lifestyle that I love I try not to stop and stare but just walk very slowly! I love peeping down at basements especially in cities like Bath where the rooms are mostly made into beautiful kitchens - this to me is my favorite room, I have had quite a few kitchens, this is my present one

but I think my favorite was in a cottage where I had a lovely red Aga, I now have a very old Rayburn,

but I would love a pale blue aga but just can't see that happening very soon!!!

But I am wondering away from the subject which is looking through windows.
Where I live there really isn't much opportunity for this, but I have found another way to feed my curiousity - you can look at beautiful homes through websites that provide homes for location shoots. So I am going to share with you some of the beautiful kitchens and bathrooms that one day I would love to have!!

I love this kitchen, the combination of old with new plus of course a lovely big Aga!

And now for the bathrooms!

This is stunning with the Union Jack on the wall.

And to have a fire while having a bath what luxury!

A slipper bath lilac toile wallpaper it just looks so stylish! The only thing my bathroom has in common with this one is the painted floor and the little table!

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on my last post The Perfect Whimsy. I still haven't reached my 100 followers but as soon as I do I will be putting together my give-away. Have a lovely week.

The Perfect Whimsy!!

2011-01-29T08:34:00.000-08:00

This was always going to be a stressful week with my aunts funeral, but it was a celebration of her life and I think that was exactly what happened, it was lovely to meet up with family. We stayed in the Cotswolds and on our way home we had a special place to visit.

I have in the past few months, been busy making cushion covers, linen bags, and lots of goodies for a lovely lady called Joasia who was going to open a shop. Her idea was to have a shop that sold nearly all handmade items . How many shops do you visit now that have the same items in, commercially made – pretty as they are they can become a little boring.

The shop opened last week and when I opened the door it was a delight to meet Joasia and her lovely shop. It was full of beautiful things and to see all the items I had made dotted about the shop was really exciting.

The mix of handmade items, cards, candles in pretty vintage cups (made by Joasia) stunning handbags jewellery it was a shop that if you ever get the chance to visit the Cotswolds then it is an absolute must. Its called the Perfect Whimsy and is situated in the village of Northleach in between Burford and Cheltenham.

I am now busy with lots more ideas for the shop – I have to say busy inside my head as this weekend all I feel like doing is curling up in front of the fire!

A delivery!!

I wish Joasia all the success in the world and I think she will do really well as it so different and she is a lovely lady.
Next week I am hoping for some good news but that’s another story. I have been blogging now for nearly a year and have to say that I am really enjoying it, I know some people can be very sniffy about people that blog – they say it is a form of showing off - but I have to disagree I think it is lovely to hear about other peoples life's their interests their ups and downs, and I feel I have made so many blog friends, it also stops you being lonely when you live in the middle of nowhere.

So to thank all you lovely people who follow me and leave such lovely comments I have decided to do a give-away when I reach the magic number of 100 followers so watch this space!

Blowing the Cobwebs away!

2011-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

This is more like it sunshine!! But believe it or not I was just feeling a little low – too much indoors rich food etc etc. So the OH suggested we went for a walk the fresh sea air would do me good!!

Now Bude isn’t one of the most fashionable places in the world but out of season it certainly has a certain charm. Although this cottage right on the beach looks stunning.

One of the striking parts of Bude is Chapel Rock where apparently this was all that there was to Bude in the Middle Ages it used to have a church on it.

Can’t see many parishioners travelling out here on a stormy night.

Although I think they might have as it is also a very famous place for wreckers, where they used to bring the ships onto the rocks by flashing lights on the beach and then all the cargo was stolen. Just as described in Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier.
The walk to Chapel Rock was lovely, really stunning, and we even climbed up to where the Church used to be (now a flagpole)

Why does he always have to be there first!!

You know fresh air does does you the world of good, I certainly feel better with more energy, and even made some flapjacks when I got home.

OMG I am meant to be on a diet – no no I mean I am meant to be eating more healthly!!!

Diets I hate that word

2011-01-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

I always think winter is the wrong time to diet I still need my comfort food but and this is a big but!! I really need to loose some weight (this year we have quite a few celebrations to go to).
So do I eat this:

or do I eat this

OMG this just looks so scrummy!!

I just hate dieting - it is so boring but on previous efforts I do know that it would be worth it, so perhaps I will leave it for a while and wait for some warmer weather, but for now I must make a start on some serious cooking - Marmalade, breakfast without marmalade just isn't worth having - well that's what the OH says - so I am looking out for the first arrival of the seville oranges and I will then be enscounced in the kitchen

Well better make tracks into the kitchen to start supper and maybe have one of these just to keep me going!

Any ideas for slimming recipes that I might just enjoy!!

On a sad note I lost my Aunt this week and it has all been a little stressfull, she wasn't married and had no children, so all the arranging has been left to her nieces and nephews - but most of all my sister who has been brilliant and can't thank her enough for all that she has done.

Things to come

2011-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

A photo of things to come!

The house seems so quite now and it is taking me a while to adjust the boys have gone home and Ottis who I know the OH is going to miss!

Christmas where did it go, all the preparations, cooking decorating the house now seems an age away – although I don’t take the tree down until the 6th January which is Epiphany I still enjoy the prettiness of the tree lighting all my candles in the evening and generally savouring the festivities right to the end, but a little bit of me wants to take them down clean the house and get started on all my new projects and ideas that I have in my head at the moment.

After Christmas the OH celebrates his birthday I always feel a little sorry for him with presents arriving late cards coming through the post in dribs and drabs and little money around, but we celebrated just the two of us with a very lazy day, filled with good food and of course a little drink cuddled up by the fire – and I think he rather enjoyed that!!

But today we have returned the spare room to my workroom and work has already started, although all I can do is cut out as I have run out of cotton (unheard of) or maybe I have put it somewhere and I can’t remember where – the house still seems to be a little upside down at the moment which I think is how I feel at the moment.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T02:02:00.000-08:00

A very Happy New Year to all of you and I wish you all the happiness in the world for 2011,

Be back real soon lots of love Jillxx