My word what a nice surprise!

How lucky am I?

I have won the most fabulous give away over on Jane and the happy crow. It is a very generous prize and I am, as we say up north "Gob Smacked!"

All because I told her about a family memory of our holidays and me being squeezed into the car with all our 'stuff' and only having a small square of window to look out of all the way there.

Thank you Jane!

I must, must sort myself out and organise a giveaway myself.

Thats me in the photo about 5 years old on the beach in either Cornwall or Wales. Happy Memories.

Monday-again!

I didn't grow these lovely cherries but bought them, they are lovely and sweet and juicy just like the strawberries I picked from our garden today-

Things do taste better when you grow them yourself, don't they? These turnips, cabbage and lettuce were from my mum's allotment. We had some of her new potatoes tonight too.

Sad news about the House martins I wrote about earlier. Something has attacked the nest and there is a large hole in it and the House martins have abandoned it. They flew around for a while but gave up and I guess found somewhere they felt more secure.

I am still trying to put together my 'six un-important things I love' from Micheala's tag. So watch this space, can't say I will ever love dusting though Micheala!

Long Post!

Hello, what lovely weather we are having? you can bet the summer will stop the day we break up from school-only three weeks! (not that I am counting or anything!!)

A large collage made by schools and staff at the IWM North

Talking of school I went on Class Four's trip today. We went to The Imperial War Museum North and Lowry Art Gallery in Salford, Manchester. Above is the viewing tower at the IWM North. The children got to dress up in some uniforms and handle objects from the Second World War. I bought some goodies from the excellent shop there.

A large Union Jack, a beautiful lavender filled heart, a postcard for Shan, and two books. One called 'Sucking Eggs, What your wartime Granny could teach you about diet, thrift and going green.' By Patricia Nicol and the other is a 'Good Housekeeping Wartime Scrapbook' full of adverts, features and advice from the pages of Good Housekeeping in Wartime Britain. Now I am not sure quite what I am going to do with a large Union Jack but felt the need to own one!

Then we went on to the Lowry across the Manchester Ship Canal.
(Not the best picture of what is yet another stunning building.) Inside it is a gallery (with it's main collection being L S Lowry paintings and drawings) and also a cafe, restaurant and theatre.

The children made pen drawings of buildings in the Lowry paintings then took them back to a class room to rub charcoal all over them and then erase bits to highlight the detail. They were so mucky, but really enjoyed it. Then home on the coach and I came home to read the blogs and catch up with everyone.

Now I LOVE reading every one's blog. They are amusing, entertaining, interesting, funny, inspiring and well just a good way to 'talk' to like minded people. When I started in February this year. I had about 10 listed on my blog of 'Blogs I Love To Read'. Then I added more and told myself I would just list 25, then "Oh must add those couple" and it crept up to 40 now I can't believe its' in the 80's. and YES I DO read them all but I think gosh is this leaving me with less time to do other things like crochet, knitting, painting, cleaning the house?

Yes I think it does but it is addictive and I enjoy it so I will carry on but do forgive me if-
a) I don't comment as much as I should
b)I don't post as much as I should or
c) I don't have anything crafty or arty to show you-IT'S ALL YOUR OWN FAULT! you shouldn't have such good blogs!!!

I have had an award from the lovely Rebecca at buttons and flowers. Please pop over and visit her. I have to name some blogs to pass it on to now. You would think that with 80 odd blogs it would be easy but "oh no it isn't!"
So here goes, some of you may have had it before and if so please pass it on to someone else but I am trying to pick people who have not had it but it is difficult.
Noelle from sew and sew on
simplelivingkate
Dawn at The Kitten Pile
poppy cottage
Lady Hopwood at A Stitch in Time
Judy at Fabric, art and crafts

Sue at Mousenotebook
Lisa at Periwinkle park
Kate at Pine trees on the Moor
Karen at sew and sow life
Gigibird
Quilt cats
Diane at Heart Shaped(if the link above does not work please use my huge list on the left to take a look at all these lovely blogs-go on you know you want to!
A lot of the plants that are looking so lovely in the garden at the moment were planted by the previous owners so I have no variety names for them.
Looking good though...
I have also been tagged all the way from Italy by the lovely Michela at Little secrets from My Garden. again pop over to see her. I need to think about this tag so will post another day about it.

I think this post is long enough, don't you?

SUN-days

Today was a SUN-day as was yesterday. The weather has been good to us so that usually means garden duties.

It must be summer because the parasol has made an appearance-

I finally got my tomatoes and cucumber into the grow bags in the greenhouse today and Hubby cleaned the paths (it's a man thing!) I bought two more plants yesterday, as if I need more, there are so many waiting in pots to be found homes. My dahlias are now out too so a very productive weekend all round

This does of course mean no crafty stuff done, might be able to do some more of my crochet later. The report writing has been finished and I am treating myself to a glass of wine.

Someone else was very busy sunbathing today, she's tired out, poor thing-

Our little school, where I work is very old (built as a church in 1879 originally before the church on the hill was built) but we are having a new library made in the summer holidays so they were clearing out all the old books. I managed to salvage some-

Th Ladybird book of knitting is great. As well as the basic how to do it, there are projects like a hair-band, pin-cushion, purse, and soft ball then some more difficult ones, a bag, a pencil case, an egg cosie and a tie for your father!
It is of course Fathers day here today and we sent a card to Hubby's dad, they don't make a fuss it their family. My own dad died when I was very young then my step-dad died in my early twenties so I don't have a dad to wish 'Happy Father's day' to but they are both in my thoughts all the same.

They are back!

The House Martins arrived from their long flight a few weeks ago. They over winter in Africa and feed on the wing and have taken up residence in one of the two nests under our eaves. They make a lot of chirruping noises in the morning-about 5am! I love to watch them, they cock their little heads and watch you through the window.

It's not the best photo but he has his beady little eye on me and that cute little white chin.

"This guest of Summer

The temple-haunting Marlet, does approve

By his loved mansionry that the heaven's breath

smells wooingly here. No Jutty frieze

Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but the bird

Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle;

where most breed and haunt, I have observed

The air is delicate"

(Macbeth, Act I scVI)

Good V Bad

Always start with the bad.

Bad-(some 'badder' than others!)

Elderly Great Aunt died and it's her funeral on Monday.

Lucy killed a shrew yesterday.

Trees being chopped down.

Report writing.

Hubby working long hours and getting back in time to just go to bed.

The slugs ate my beans.

Good-

Someone we care about seems to be on the mend.

Sun is shining.

Lucy must of brought a field mouse in yesterday and it got away from her in the bedroom and it casually wandered out from under the bed last night (caught and returned to the garden).

Four weeks till end of term then a long, hopefully sunny, crafty, friend seeing six weeks.

Country Living magazine to read tonight in bed.

Cath Kidston goodies I got from St Ives...

A Good weekend!

What a lovely weekend we have had. After the sad post last time I am trying to ignore the fact two more trees have come down and neighbourhood rumour is three half gardens are being sold as a building plot right across the lane from us. Hey ho, as Hubby says we will object but he thinks they will win in the end. Never mind I will just play in my garden which goes up the hill so they will not be able to block our lovely view from up there!

Saturday we spent pottering in the garden. Earlier in the week we had this poppy popping-

They only needed a bit of sunshine and this happened-

Then the bees came and went dizzy on the nectar-

I did get some time to sit and do some more of my ripple pattern crochet- looks a bit like a rasher of bacon at the moment and my first chain row was a bit tight I think but not too bad for a first attempt! Our garden below.

Then today we went to 'Art and Garden' at Samlesbury Bottoms near Preston.

Art in the garden

A lovely garden with stalls of very talented art and crafts people and their work. It was a hot day and we had a lovely walk through the trees to cool off before having a sandwich, cake and cup of tea on the lawn. Shan was there with her collage prints and I bought some coconut buttons from her. I also met the lovely Jackie a fellow blogger! It's the first time I have met someone who's blog I read and we had a chat. Her work is beautiful and she is a talented lady, do pop over to her place for a nosey. She sells on Esty and she asked what I do, I had to admit to not actually making things to sell just as gifts and for my own personal pleasure. I wish I had the time to devote myself to craft and art but it's a tough world out there and I think I would crumble under the pressure!

This is Jackie on her stall-Busted! No longer anonymous!

This is Shan's stall-she refused to be photographed!!!

I also bought some little ceramic flowers (very remiss of me though as I forgot to note the name of the lady who made them!) Here they are back home in a ceramic pot I made at college years and years ago! with the buttons I bought from Shan. Not a lot of purchases Credit Crunch and all that but we had a lovely day, well worth a visit next year if you are in the area.

I don't like change.

Hubby and I like to read the newspaper in bed on a Saturday morning, (one of the few positives of not having any children!) and we often watched the birds sitting in the two large trees across our narrow lane. Two very large trees, one apple and one cherry. The doves and finches especially liked them. The crows would make us laugh with their attempts to get the apples-creeping further down the branch towards the apple as the apple bent further and further away from them. The blackbirds did better and the cherries did not last long.


I came home today and both trees have gone, cut down and branches scattered in the gardens below. Now we live in a rural area with hundreds of trees around us but these were the only large trees on that side of the road and I mourn their passing. I will miss them and it makes me feel ever so sad to think they are no longer part of my lovely view. I suspect the person will soon put in for planning permission to build in the garden and this is just the beginning of a change I know I am not going to like.

Sorry to moan, but I am sure there is someone else out there that will understand that it seems so sad to cut down two beautiful trees.



Right I will pull myself together (I have a ton of reports to write tonight!) and show you the lovely badge I got from Jane at Snapdragons garden. I am trying to think of an imaginative way to wear it so I can send a photo to Jane.

I have started a crochet ripple pattern, its slow progress but with Lucy's tutorial from Attic 24 I am getting there. If only I did not have those damn reports to write!!! I will try and get a photo, when it is a little larger.
I hope to pop up to Preston on Sunday to visit Shan while she has a stall at the Art and Garden. It's at Mill Barn, Goosefoot Close, Samlesbury Bottoms, Preston, PR5 0SS. £3 to get in to see the lovely garden and pick up something handmade or a plant or just a cup of tea and slice of cake. Say hello to Shan if you go-she will be the one panicking in the corner! Of course I will be taking some photos and report back next week. I will leave you with another flower from my garden- Nobody is going to cut down anything in MY garden!!!

Last Postcard from Cornwall

Saturday 30th May 2009

Well it is such a shame to be packing and thinking about home (although I miss my little girl and I bet she will be pleased to see us.) I know it will take over 7 hours for us to get home and it will be a long and sticky drive. I thought I would leave you with a photo of Hell's Mouth, such a strange name for such a lovely place. I guess it is a bit treacherous with all those rocks if you are sailing!

Well what a wonderful week we have had in Cornwall and we will return I am sure as there are many places we still want to see that we did not manage this time.

Home now to washing, ironing, cleaning, planning, work and early mornings....

Wish I was still in Cornwall!

Love

Lyn and Hubby.

xxxxxx

I'm Famous!!

I'm famous-well not exactly famous but remember these flowers I sent along to Rochdale's Touchstones Gallery?

Well they are here-somewhere?!

My name is up on the web site as a contributor to the installation, please pop along and have a look at what other lovely things they have been doing with yarn all over the country.

Postcards from Cornwall

The morning of Friday 29th May 2009

Dear All,

Well our last full day here in Cornwall dawned beautiful and sunny with a breeze. We drove west towards Helston to visit the Trevarno Estate. We wandered around the beautiful gardens with peacocks sunbathing everywhere. The walled gardens are currently being restored but it was like looking at a place lost in time as the greenhouses were tumbling down but still had peaches and figs growing away inside. We walked around the lake and Hubby got attacked by a black necked swan protecting an unseen nest somewhere. She let me past but took instant dislike to hubby who had a run for it to hide behind some bushes, of course I couldn't stop laughing!

Later we walked around the interesting exhibitions in their Museum of Gardening and the History of soap. Before we left we bought some beautiful soap made at Trevarno smelling of lavender and geranium.

Wish you were here!

Love

Lyn and Hubby

xxxxxxxx

Lunchtime Friday 29th May 2009

Dear All,

Arrived at St Ives. To say I have been looking forward to today all week is an understatement! It was very hot but with a strong breeze that kept us cool. St Ives was busy with holiday makers and I just love it here. We strolled around the streets with names such as Teetotal Street, The Digey, Virgin Street and Duck Street then ended up at The Tate Gallery where we saw an exhibition of Alfred Wallis paintings. Back down the harbour with an Ice cream and a wary eye on the seagulls. and a visit to the Cath Kidston shop to buy some goodies (more of that in another post!)

Wish you were here

More postcards to follow.

Love

Lyn and Hubby

xxxxxxx

Afternoon of Friday 29th May 2009
Dear All,
This afternoon we went to the Barbara Hepworth museum and sculpture garden. This is right in the centre of the bustling town of St Ives (you can see the tower of St Ia church behind the trees) but it is quiet and peaceful and a relaxing place to sit and think.
Barbara Hepworth lived and worked here in the Trewyn Studio from 1949 until her death in 1975. Her tools and aprons are in her studio just as if she has walked from the room moments before. There are sculptures in the studio and garden and displays about her life in the museum. But the thing I will remember is how quiet and peaceful it is.
Wish you were here!
Last postcard to follow.
Love
Lyn and Hubby
xxxxx

Postcards from Cornwall

Thursday 28th May 2009

Dear All,

Today we went to Falmouth and the National Maritime Museum to look at the exhibits and an excellent exhibition about the Titanic. We then had a drive around and found Glendurgan Garden, a National Trust garden. We had our picnic lunch then walked down through the garden down the valley to Durgan Village at the bottom on the Helford River. We decided to finish our day at a coastal village called Cadgwith, where some of the scenes from the film 'Ladies in Lavender' were filmed. It it a beautiful little place and it still has small fishing boats sailing from the beach. We were just in time to see the small boats going out to catch mackerel. We sat on the cliff watching them roll their boats down the beach and set off to drop anchor only a few hundred metres away.

Wish you were here!

More postcards to follow.

Love

Lyn and Hubby

xxxxxx

Postcards from Cornwall

Wednesday 27th May 2009

Dear All,

Today was a bit drizzly and dull so we went off to The Eden Project. It seems every other person in Cornwall had had the same idea! It was busy and HOT in the Tropics Biome but better while we wandered around the outside gardens.

We ended up in Polperro which is a lovely village by the sea. Lots of narrow streets full of interesting shops, cafes, pubs and tea rooms. We walked up to the cliffs to get a better look back at the harbour then ate fish and chips on the quay while The Polperro Fisherman's Choir sang on the quayside.

Wish you were here!

More postcards to follow.

Love

Lyn and Hubby

xxxxx

Postcards from Cornwall

The morning of Tuesday 26th May 2009

Dear All,

Today dawned bright but breezy. We were up and out early as we wanted to get to St Micheal's Mount as the tide went out. The walk from the car park was strange-loads of people coming from every direction to the causeway, milling along it like ants towards the mount. We walked up to the castle and then around the harbour and finally a walk around the spectacular garden's that hang on to the cliff face. It is a special place that's for sure and we had our first cream tea at the restaurant-the clotted cream went down far too well and the snack filled us up till late afternoon!

Wish you were here!

Love from

Lyn and Hubby

xxx

Afternoon of Tuesday 26th May 2009

Dear All,

As you can see we had a busy day today. After St Micheal's mount we drove through a very busy Penzance and stopped off briefly in Newlyn to look at the gallery there. Then on to Mousehole. One of my most favourite places to visit. I love the story of the Mousehole cat and found several snoozing in the afternoon sunshine. It had been busy with families on the beach in the harbour and children were still swimming in the incredibly turquoise sea. We wandered around the tiny streets and I bought a string bag of shells from the harbour placing my money in the honesty box. We then had our late picnic lunch on the shingle beach looking out across the bay at the mount. The end of a perfect day.

Wish you were here! More postcards to follow.

Love from Lyn and Hubby xxxxxxx

Postcards form Cornwall

Monday 25th May 2009

Dear All,

Today was a wet day. We decided to go to a National Trust property and as Lanhydrock boasted a large amount of rooms to look around, Lanhydrock it was. The Jacobean building is wonderful and the Victorian Kitchen wing shows that the Victorians took their food very seriously indeed. The gardens had been clipped to within an inch of their lives. We drove to Bodmin late afternoon and looked around Bodmin Jail-where many a hanging took place in the past. A creepy sort of place and I had bad dreams that night!

Wish you were here!

More postcards to follow.

Love

Lyn and Hubby

xxx