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

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

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!!!

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 ........................................

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!!

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!

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

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.