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Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth ...

I'm feeling just a tad worn down with this tooth of mine.

Just to say it's been an ongoing saga, which has so far lasted months 'n months 'n months.

... oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth!

Anyway I'm now on antibiotics, so they just better do the trick?

For now anyway.



I'm not thick skinned, and was sad to notice I lost a follower today.

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Crocodile, as seen a few years back on our maiden voyage to Australia.

Don't forget remaining followers - you're more than welcome to join in with the book giveaway on my garden blog.

The more entries there are, the more fun I will have picking out a winner!

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exclamation ...

I've developed excrutiating toothache! It's in the tooth I'm in the middle of having root treatment on.

My next appointment is in five weeks time ...she's on holiday!

I'm very tempted to yank the tooth out myself!

Thank goodness for Ibuprofen ... It's the only cure I got.

One 400mg tablet gives me adequate relief for 6 hours. Thank you Stewart Adams.

Can you believe this man never saw an extra penny for this breakthrough cure!

Edited to add:

Thanks everyone for your compassion and advice. Juggling around work hours, I've managed to get an appointment for this Thursday afternoon.

Since writing this post, I am now getting spammed with adverts for new dentures!

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baking is easy ...

I've had some days in lieu this week.

It's been bliss, and I've even managed to fit in a bit of baking.

I love baking, and when I retire I'm going to bake, bake, bake to my heart's content!

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Look, two lovely Easimix bowls!

My step-Dad thought I would like them, after unearthing them in a cupboard - they were my Mums.

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Like them, I love 'em!

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Perfect for knocking up a nice gooey Sunday Best Chocolate Fudge Cake.

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The recipe is from Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book.

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No reason why you can't bake and eat one on a Tuesday, is there!

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Mary Berry's Fast Flapjacks, of which the recipe says makes about 24.

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I put the mix in a 9 inch square tin, and marked out nine chunky ones!

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I am convinced that a recipe should not be a set of rules to be followed to the letter for a mind-numbingly uniform result, but when I hear someone praising a recipe because it always works, my heart sinks a little. I believe a recipe should be treated as a living thing, something allowed to breathe, to change its nature to suit our ingredients, our mood and our desires - Nigel Slater.

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what makes me happy ...

I must remind myself every day of what makes me happy?



It really can be something as simple as watching the birds in the garden.



I think every now and again I shall feature what makes me happy on my blog.

Just to remind myself.

How about you sharing what makes you happy on your blog?

Just when you can.

Copy and paste the above to your sidebar, and let me know if you'd like to join in.

You never know what makes one person happy could make all the difference!

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thank you for being a friend ...

A big thank you to everyone who was there for me on my last post.

I just needed to take off that brave face I wear some days.

Your thoughtful and caring comments mean more to me than words can express.

A cheerful friend is like a sunny day, which sheds its brightness all around - John Lubbock



Feel free to cut and paste the above onto your sidebar, to remind yourself what a lovely person you are.

I made it 'specially for you.

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it really isn't all bad news ...

I have 'arf felt groggy.

Nothing much, just a dose of laryngitis caused by a viral infection, with a hacking cough and sneezing fits thrown in for good measure.

Dosed up to the eyeballs with Benylin mucus (conjures up all sorts of unpleasantness) linctus, and rather nice sweets (the said wrapper above), there is nothing more to do than sit it out.

Frustrating to say the least being without a voice for well over a week, albeit much to the delight to him indoors!

After many restless nights on the sofa nearly going off my head with coughing, I can happily say today I feel I've turned a corner.



It's been a long time since I've put type to blog. A variety of reasons has kept me away, one being a major loss of heart with all that is blogging.

I figured we all love talking ailments and the weather, so now seemed a perfect time to make my return.

Many parts of the country have seen copious amounts of snow. I was beginning to think we'd escaped it in our neck of the woods, but no it finally arrived, and in plentiful supply too!

With crippled transport networks and mail services, no refuse collections, and panic buying of everyday essentials, it's all been a bit glum.

That's our car under the veil of snow!



Things can only get better, and better they did when the rain came and took away all the snow, and brought back the milk!

Not before I'd taken lots of photos of the white stuff in the garden though.



Keeping warm has been a necessity, and no doubt another astronomical fuel bill is in the making.
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I love real fires, but a gas coal effect one is a good substitute if you're not in enough during the day to keep a real one ticking over.

There's no spits, but you do have to remember not to throw your sweet wrappers on it!



Being home all day I've been able to spend time in our little garden room.

It's quite snug out here with a radiator on, and a good place for keeping an eye on all that is going on in the garden.



Like this lucky black cat, a regular visitor, quite happy just to sit and watch the robin on the birdtable!

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how to be happy ...

When you're busy in life doing all those things you really don't want to be doing, we sometimes forget to -

take a reality check - cherish friends and family - show affection - be kind often - have a laugh - look after yourself - be grateful - spend time in nature - slow down and learn to relax - forgive.

Words by Maggie Richards - an interesting article if you want to read it.

Photo by me - the light and dark side of a perennial Geranium.

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remember me ...

With the warmer weather and longer days, you will find me more out than in, as I love my garden and outside space with a passion.

Only a handful of you come over to visit me here. I shall be joining in with Simone's Tuesday Garden Rake over this side of the fence. Just pop your head over, so I know you're behind it!

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Below is a token of mutual respect, admiration and friendship taken from an old journal, August 4th, 1853. It's from an inspirational book I bought from a carboot a few years back, called On Women & Friendship by Starr Ockenga.

To my teacher, Elthelda Coggan, from your pupil.

'Remember me when gone away, and I the same will do,
and when you're with your friends at home, then I'll remember you.

Forget me ah forget me not, when evenings shades descend,
For then my thoughts will turn to thee, my fondly cherished friend.'

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sneaking seafront snaps and twiggypeasticks ...

On my way to work this morning I had a bit of spare time, so I snuck behind some beach huts to take the photo above. It's looking East into the sun along Lancing Beach.



I am very, very long overdue in thanking my good bloggy friend Sarah aka Twiggy, from The World of Twiggypeasticks for thinking of me when she was dishing out the above award. It's always nice to hear from you Twiggy.

Along with the award came a question, to name five things you enjoy doing. There's lots and lots of things, but I'm going to relate my answers to how great it is to live along the coast.

I enjoy cycling to work along the coastal path.
I enjoy picking up pebbles and shells with holes in and when I can find it, driftwood.
I enjoy eating fish bought from the local fishermen.
I enjoy eating Mr Whippies from the seafront cafe.
I even enjoy collecting seaweed, for my compost heap!



Twiggy also passed on this lovely Sunshine Award to me!



And talking of sunshine, today we were swathed in yet more of the glorious stuff. Even at 8.00 o'clock this morning it was shaping up to be a lovely day. The month of April this year really has been truly amazing.
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And just to top it all, Twiggys only gone and sent me another one!
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If you like, accept these three awards from me to you, and if you've the time let us know five things you enjoy doing?

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on two wheels ...

I've started cycling to work again.

Isn't this sketch lovely. By Ernest Howard Shepard, better known as the man who drew Pooh.

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heart love ...

A person's world is only as big as their heart.

This year J is taking part in The South Downs Way Randonnee Challenge, a bike ride, which sets off from Winchester.

It's split into three stages, 100, 65 and 35 miles. J will be joining it at the last stage, which leaves from Devil's Dyke, finishing at Eastbourne.

This event is held in support of the British Heart Foundation.

If you would like to sponsor J, just click on the widget on the sidebar. It's that easy!

We'd be so appreciative of any donations received, the minimum is £2.

Thank you very much for your support.

Louise x

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breakfast and brunch ...

What do you have most days for your breakfast? You know you mustn't skip breakfast, don't you!

On most days I have full fat! Greek style natural yogurt with muesli. On an 'early start' work day I have it in bed watching BBC Breakfast, much to the dismay of the other half, who will get out of bed to make and eat his porridge!

My muesli of the moment is Dorset Cereals 'Simply Delicious Muesli'. A crunchy blend of chilean flame raisins, sunflower seeds, dates, roasted hazelnuts and brazil nuts with multi-grain flakes. It has taken the place of another favourite of mine, Sainsburys 'Fruit and Nut', which contains whole almonds.

My favourite discovery in Greek style natural yogurt is from the Essential Waitrose range. It is very thick and creamy, and is just the best.



On a 'late start' work day I might have Scrambled Eggs. I love it, but it has to be sloppy, usually on white toast but wholemeal will do, with lots of freshly ground black pepper on top! I'll eat this half way between breakfast and lunch, so you'd call it Brunch.



In Victorian times, they'd have enjoyed Kedgeree for breakfast! In this day and age, a meal more suited as a lunch or supper dish.

It's dead easy to make using only four ingredients, rice, smoked haddock, hard-boiled eggs, and a handful of peas. Maybe five if you include a generous grinding of black pepper.

Pop over to Simone's blog Linden Grove and you may, if you're quick on your toes, get a square of home-made Blueberry Buttermilk Cake for your breakfast today.

A breakfast doesn't have to be healthy one everyday!

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my music memories, 1970s ...

Which waveband was your family radio tuned to?

In our home it was Radio One on 247, playing all day, every day. Remember Junior Choice with Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart, Noel Edmonds on the Breakfast Show, David 'Kid' Jensen and Dave Lee Travis, the Hairy Cornflake! Mike Read, Peter Powell and Simon Bates' Our Tune?

Remember the portable cassette recorder, and recording the Top Forty on a Sunday afternoon, stop/starting at the beginning and end of every tune. Losing your favourite tape when it got all caught up and tangled around the spools!

Remember the music centre, in trendy plastic casing! When songs were cut on vinyl, singles played on forty five and albums on thirty three.



Remember the Disco 45 songbook, with all the latest lyrics? Look at the price, 5p! I bought every copy, from Issue No 1 until the time came when it was taken off the shelves. Then one day I lost my marbles and binned them, every single one of them!



I also remember buying the Words songbook at an increased price of 15p, well, inflation was a big thing in the 1970s! At the time when a David Bowie calendar shared my bedroom wall with The Police!



I really liked the magazine Smash Hits, my collection starting from Number 1 to whatever number it was when it dawned on me where would I find the space for another copy?

I'd love to get to hear any music memories from your childhood, or who you had plastered to your bedroom wall during your teenage years!

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sea escapes ...

When your feeling low, take the doctor's orders and pay the beach a visit, or give the closest to you a hug. I love the postcard above, it's my favourite from the little collection of Mabel Lucie Attwell postcards I've put together over the years. Posted in Eastbourne in 1925 from Lil to Nellie, the message reads Everybody's Loved by Someone.



I'd love to see that cute mermaid sitting on our local rocks, and the golly!



Another one from the collection, the message being The Song of the Sea. When your feeling low, drag your best ragdoll through the sand! This card is really lovely, with lots of fairies floating through the air. Posted in Cambridge in 1921, from Mother to Jean.



This photo has all the elements of why we love our coast. Blue sky, blue sea, a sailboat, seagulls, sand, seaweed, groynes and rocks. I just wish I could have got a stick of rock and a donkey in the photo too!



The message reads SOS!

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... our post has arrived!

For those of you non-UK residents, today is day one of a two-day national postal strike. Looks like I just might get my birthday cards on time, after all!

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a moss heartfelt thanks ...

It's been a week since I came out of hospital after having a gynaecological laparoscopy. My stitches came out on Monday which has made me feel a little better in myself. Feeling like I've been kicked repeatedly, I'm still taking the tablets!

Hallelujah for the laptop! Now I'm off work indisposed, and banned from the garden, there's time to spend on my blog, and yours. Good news! It's no secret over the past months I've allowed my job to completely cloud my mind, with early starts and later finishes, having little time to spend on doing the things which actually make me happy. By not visiting and commenting on blogs as regularly as I did, I've really missed the blog banter which comes a yo-yoing back. This is why I'm sending a mossy heartfeltedly thank you to everyone who regularly comes back to my blog and keeps in touch, and for your get well wishes too.

Earlier in the year I noticed this moss and stony bits had formed into a heartshape, amazing, and in my garden too!

Ginny over at Sweet Myrtle has had the great idea of sharing the things she is noticing. Click on the link on my sidebar to find out how you can get noticing in October!

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in stitches ...

Finks you may like to know, i'se off mending after surgery. I'se recovering, and hopes to get to your blog soon!

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wish you were here ...

A postcard from Worthing, from me to you.

Just lately, as the weather has been set fair, I've been cycling into work. It's a straightforward route mostly along a seafront cycle path, just over three miles each way.




Remember the 1987 film, Wish You Were Here? Set in austere post-war Britain, this is a high-spirited tale of rebellious teenage girl Lynda, played by Emily Lloyd.

Many scenes were set in Worthing using the seafront, the Dome cinema and a shop in Rowlands Road.

Click here to see a clip of the film. Not only does it show lovely old Southdown buses in the Worthing bus depot, the Worthing outdoor lawn bowling greens, where the English Bowling Association have held the National Championships for over 25 years, it shows Lynda cycling along Worthing seafront just like I do!

Having a lovely time - I shall be next week, I have a week off!

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where do you blog from?

Way back in August I asked you where you blog from? With 60 votes the results were, Australia (6), Canada (9), Europe (8), UK (22), USA (11) and other (4).

Well I blog from West Sussex and I am Sussex born and bred, having during my life lived in three different villages all within close proximity around the county.



I spent my childhood and teenage years in and around the village of Angmering. The hand-coloured postcard above shows the village green and Arundel Road circa 1905. Having altered somewhat over the years, back in the early to mid seventies, this is the very hill I walked up every day to primary school, first stopping off at the small sweet shop at the bottom for a daily supply of chews, candy cigarettes and a copy of Twinkle!



For a couple of years or so, I lived in the village of Clapham. Luckily we lived on a hill, many a time in the winter my mini wouldn't start and I had to jump it on the clutch! The postcard of a watercolour above, shows the church of St Mary the Virgin circa 1845, the porch on the west wall has since been removed.



Finally the village of Lancing, credited as being the largest village in England. The postcard above shows a group of children on North Road, identified from left to right as Eadie Green, May Merriott, and Olive Cooper holding Bessie Oram. Little Croft Penfold almhouses are on the extreme right. Hand-coloured postcard circa 1910.



This is my 200th post! To celebrate I am having a giveaway, the prize being the heart-shaped card/photo holder above.

To have a chance of winning I would like you to leave a comment telling me which county in the UK you live, or if overseas which area or state you live in? It's as easy as that!

I shall look forward to drawing a winner on Sunday 30th November, so good luck to everyone, wherever you happen to be around the world.

Marie at Marie Chantal is celebrating her 200th post too!