my photos

August 7th ...

Don't forget the Big Butterfly Count and my garden blog giveaway, both end on Sunday.

Look right, over there, up the top! The links are on my sidebar.

I'll be picking out a giveaway winner at 6 pm, so good luck!

... everyone loves a GIVEAWAY!

The one on my garden blog is open to everyone.

photo from the book - Chloe Preston and the Peek-a-Boos

with a couple of friends, over tea and fruitcake ...

I've chosen the winner of my 300th post giveaway.

Well to be honest, it was over coffee, on my own, with no cake!

I asked you what you thought Haurel and Lardy's scruffy-looking ginger mog was keeping a lid on?

The winning suggestion would come from the person who put the widest smile on my face - and who did that?

It was you Lyn, from Everyday Life!

I think it's Robbie Williams in a union jack thong!!!

Laugh, I nearly cried!

It was tricky to choose an outright winner, so there will be a little something for three of the more thought-provoking comments received.

A small treat will be going to Kath at Juicy Fig, Marie at Dreaming of Wild Roses, and Sarah from The World of Twiggypeasticks!

I need all of your addresses, please.

A big thank you to everyone who finds the time to comment, and to follow me so avidly on the blog.

If you possibly can, please continue to make my day!

o

my photos

a post from the Shoreham Airshow 2010, and a giveaway for my 300th post ...

Celebrating 100 years of Shoreham Airport, the 20th anniversary of the airshow and the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, this year's show was down to be extra special.

With sharp showers, drizzle and low cloud marring the proceedings, the majority of planes and display teams had to be cancelled, with many stranded down in Bournemouth, and at other bases across the country.

The Swift Aerobatic team did attempt a display to open the show, which unfortunately saw the glider pilot crash on landing, who fortunately managed to crawl from the wreckage, and who reportedly and remarkably sustained non-life threatening injuries.

With this happening, and the absence of any significant plane engine or propeller noise around the airfield, it really was most unsettling, although a good job was done by the commentator over the tannoy system to keep everyone happy.



These pilots can hear something? I'll have some of what you're having!



Even Haurel from Haurel and Lardy fame was scratching his head as to what (or wasn't in this case) going on!



There was action on the ground though with interesting static displays, stalls to look at, tents to look in, and food and drink to buy.

Thank goodness, we needed something to keep our pecker up.

We had a cappuchino mid morning, and a very tasty burger from the NAFFI tent for lunch, and J bought a near new army surplus Gortex jacket for £20, which is to come in very handy for colder fishing trips ahead.

o

Dad's Army were there again this year, with the usual parapheranalia.

o

o

o

o

o

First time I've seen this contraption called Olive ...

o

o

... and this bright red fire truck.

o

o

The Catalina, which this year returned to the show, was able to put on a short display.

o

o

To be honest after the unfortunate incident earlier in the day, I was relieved to see it back on terra firma, taxi-ing in along the runway.

o

o

Less than half a dozen aircraft managed to take to the skies.

o

Mid morning saw the G-SUSX Police Helicopter doing a bit of a hover!

o

Later in the day a Hurricane pilot entertained the crowds with a routine of the highest quality, and for me the saviour of the day was the return of the Harrier which gave a great demo just above the runway.

o

o

The German airfield attack and scramble was rumoured to be taking place at the end of the show, but feeling a bit worn we didn't hang around for that one.

o

o

With little action to speak of going on in the sky for much of the day, I could have quite easily fallen asleep standing up!

o

No Hawker Hunter, no BAC Strikemaster or De Havilland Vampire, no Yakovlevs or Gnats Display Team, no RAF Hawk, Tucano or Tutor, no Breitling Wing Walkers, no Sally B Flying Fortress or Lancaster to name but a few, and most disappointing for me was the missed opportunity of being mesmerised once again by the spectacle of the Avro Vulcan flying overhead .

oo

Even Haurel and Lardy's cat was having trouble in keeping its eyes open ... or was this down to having had a too bigger lunch?

o

He's having trouble in keeping a lid on that supplies hamper too!

o

Leave a comment (UK and overseas welcome) on this post on what you think may be inside.

o

If your suggestion makes me smile the widest, a little something will be winging its way to you in the post, in celebration of my 300th blog post!

o

my photos

easter and sugar overload ...

Inbetween shifts at work this week, I managed to fit in making a Simnel cake. I've always wanted to make one, and for my first attempt I was a bit chuffed at how it turned out.

I took the recipe from Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book, one of the first ever books I bought when J and I set up home together in the eighties from the Lakeland Plastics catalogue. No internet ordering in those days!

I didn't really have the time to be too fussy with its appearance, ending up using a more rustic approach.

I wanted to put the eleven balls of almond paste (marzipan) on the top, each representing the eleven apostles (excluding Judas) present at The Last Supper.





I have every other Thursday off work, and must admit to feeling a bit jammy today. After the foul weather of yesterday, in complete contrast out came the sun.

Perfect for taking photos.

Talking of feeling jammy, a few week's back I was lucky enough to win one of Simone's lovely giveaway crochet jam-jar covers. They are made to fit a Bonne Maman jam-jar, but not having one mine is just slipped over a glass, perfect for these eleven tiny narcissi I picked from my garden.

Simone sent me the one in Cornishware colours!




I made my own almond paste (marzipan), and a recipe is in the book too. It's so much nicer than the shop bought stuff, very easy to make, and you can store it in the fridge wrapped in cling until you need it.

All you need to make about 1.5lb is 8oz ground almonds, 8oz caster sugar, 8oz icing sugar, two whole eggs and 6 drops of almond essence. Once mixed, knead lightly.

A layer of almond paste is placed inbetween the cake mix, and once baked gives the cake a moist pudding-like texture.

For the complete Mary Berry golden look, brush the top with egg and finish off for a few seconds under a hot grill.



I had my family over this afternoon for a cup of tea and slice of cake (Worzel Gummidge), and for those not keen on dried fruit and marzipan, there was Coffee Sponge.

Made in the style of a Mary Berry traybake, but in a round tin not rectangle, as I couldn't wait to try out the round cake tin liners I bought the other day from Julian Graves.

If you love baking, check out Simone's Friday Cake Bake. I haven't been able to join in the fun 'cos I work that day, but lots of others have.

Happy Easter weekend everyone!

o

my photos

the importance of being a Mum, a Dad, and a friend, love and happiness ...

The sun is pouring through the window and it's March 4th, the date my Mum and Dad got married, back in 1961.

How time flies. Today they would have been celebrating 49 years of marriage. That's if they hadn't got divorced, and Mum hadn't left us for which I hope is a place where the sun shines bright.

When a marriage breaks down it ends, when someone dies, time somewhat heals, but grief and sorrow can show no sign of an end.



One mustn't rely on support, but it is gratefully accepted when it's received.

That's were blog friends come in.

Look at that cute bunny above!

Lisa from Periwinkle recently lost a very close friend.

She came up with the brilliant idea of making cute egg-cup cosy bunnies, with the consent of the pattern owner, with all proceeds going to his charity fund.

Aah look! After e-mailing Lisa with a special request for one with yellow stripes, she made a custom, custard cosy especially for me!

This bunny is sitting next to two items of my 'modern' yellow Cornishware. Ones which I cherish, ones which Mum gave to me after visits to what once was, the factory shop at Church Gresley in Derbyshire.

If you have yet to discover Lisa's skill with knitting needles take a look on her blog, or better still take a look in her shop on Etsy.

To have this bunny in my home makes me very happy!



As, I am sure regular and long-term readers of my blog know, my Mum died, on a sunny day very much like today, of secondary Breast cancer.

She was happy when in remission, but became very depressed and dispondent when she lost the use of her dominant arm, when cancer cruelly spread to her bones. Never being one for giving up, she gave up.

The subject of cancer is one very close to my heart.

That's where blog friends come in.



Back in October, a good blog friend of mine over at Life in Red Shoes, who leaves 'witty' comments over on my garden blog, was holding a Pink giveaway to highlight the fact it was Breast Cancer Awareness month.

She asked for comments from those touched by breast cancer. After reading her very emotional and touching account of losing a best friend, I left a comment. This is the link if you would like to read it, but do have a handful of tissues at the ready.

Look, yours truly only went and won!

Not only did I receive the giveway of a set of emaculately hand-made dishclothes and a set of potholders (another cleverclogs knitter), enclosed was a lovely card, and little bags of seeds collected from flowers from her garden, for my garden.



Love is a difficult word to define.

The word love, of which I confess to using in blog world in a rather indiscriminate manner, can mean many things.

This is the card I sent J as his Valentine. Now, I love him to bits!

I thought you might think it sweet, and as a gesture of blog friendship, and love in a different shape and form, I send it to you.

We haven't kept every card we've sent each other over the years (too much stuff lying around the place does my head in), and what is a lovely cuddly bear, who is is happily surrounded in pink love hearts, will inevitably end up head first in the blue bin!

But not blog friendships, I do hope!

my photo

bashed neeps, and the Christmas in February giveaway winner ...

I haven't ever been sure whether a neep is a swede, or a turnip?

For this post, it's a swede/rutabaga (US) of which I love, bashed with a knob of butter and black pepper.

Why a photo of a swede?

It's because the smell and taste of swede always reminds me of childhood Christmas dinners at home. We'd always have mashed swede, along with a huge roast turkey with sausagemeat poked under the skin, and Paxo in the cavity, roast potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and thick Bisto gravy.

Oh I wish it could be Christmas every day! Only ten of you thought so, and left a comment on my Christmas in February giveway post, for a chance of winning a copy of the Hamlyn 200 Christmas Recipes book.

I asked what you had for your Christmas dinner? All comments were fun to read, and considering it was February your memories hadn't been affected by the sherry!

Anyway all ten names were scribbled on a piece of paper, torn into shreds and put in a dish. The winning name pulled out was ...

Amanda and Tim!

Congratulations to you.

I think you are going to enjoy trying out recipes from this little book.

o

my photo

Christmas in February giveaway ...

Would anyone like a chance of winning a copy of the Hamlyn all colour cookbook 200 Christmas recipes?

When I came across it I liked the photography and clear instructions, so much so I bought myself a copy, a copy for two friends of mine, and also a copy for you.

I was going to leave the draw open whilst away on holiday, but just didn't get the chance to get onto my blog before we left.

We spent Christmas Day in Hong Kong stopping over for re-fuelling, the plane that is, although we were given a makeshift festive meal on our flight, which was small but tasty all the same.

Just leave a comment telling me what you chose to have for your festive meal on Christmas day, and I shall enter your name into the draw.

I shall leave the draw open until midnight February 27th, and welcome comments from the UK and overseas. Note recipes are in imperial and metric measurements, and not in cups!

I hope you enter, as it really is a lovely little book.

o

my photos

the generosity of blog friends ...

I have been so lucky to win another giveaway! This time from Ginny who has a lovely blog called Sweet Myrtle.

After discovering the art of making Morsbags, Ginny so kindly decided to make five to give away, each one using a different material.

Look at the one Ginny chose for me, and how did she know I have a lot of blue and cream going on in my kitchen? Intended for bringing shopping home, or taking books back to the library, mine will be used for storing bits 'n bobs in.

Thanks Ginny. I am so pleased with my Morsbag!



The card Ginny sent along with the package tied up with string, goes very well with my kitchen decor too!
o

my photos

a ginger cat, and a giveaway win ...

This cat isn't our cat, we don't have a cat. Cats just love spending time in our garden, from dusk 'til dawn. With undergrowth to explore and hide, birds and frogs to stalk, and butterflies and moths to tease.

This ginger cat has a very bushy tail and trots, just like a fox. It reminds me of Gizmo, who belongs to a blog pal Simone, at Linden Grove.

It shares the garden with a black cat, who I call Lucky, whose favourite spot is sitting on top of pots in the late afternoon sunshine and who spends early morning hours asleep, curled up in the flower border.

When this pair meet, they really don't get on, and I'm often witness to a hissy fit.



Simone recently had a giveaway, the prize being a set of handmade cards. Lucky me, I won!



Where does your cat like to hangout?


o
I found these lovely tags in the parcel too! Thanks Simone.
o

my photos

yet another blog giveaway prize and friends ...

Have you been Skipping in the Meadow yet! A few weeks back I was so excited to learn that I had won the sweet little knitted bird above, made with different threads of wool and ribbon, in Sumea's giveaway, and he was a runners up prize! He flew, as the crow flies, from Somerset, and I have to say I was itching for him to arrive.

I kid thee not, knitted birds cannot fly, but he did arrive wrapped up in colourful tissue paper tied with ribbon, with a little purple flower for company, along with a lavender scented, pretty cherub card pictured below, which contained silver, sparkly confetti shapes.



Another card I was so very pleased to receive over Easter was the pretty badge card above from Michele at Cowboys and Custard.

i

I am long overdue in thanking Michele also, for this treasure of a little mermaid mirror she sent me a few months back. It reminds me of the Mabel Lucie Attwell clip I use as my blog profile picture.

i

A huge thank you to bloggy friends.

i

Louise x

u

my photos

blog giveaway prize ...

I've won another giveaway, and this time it has travelled all the way from Portugal, and was sent to me by Meri, a very talented lady, who blogs at Agulhas da Méri, a blog written in both English and Portuguese.

Along with the package came a lovely note written on bark effect paper.



The giveaway prize included a collection of four generous size pieces of cotton fabric, and one huge piece of linen, all made in Portugal ... and



Rakam, a beautiful magazine filled with lots of bright ideas along with patterns and templates. For now, I can only marvel at the photography and the skill of these crafters, but one day soon I hope to have more time to learn a craft or two myself. Until then these will be stashed neatly away in a large crafting box I am putting together.



Included with the giveaway were two gifts made especially for me by Meri, a beautiful doiley and a heart brooch with flowers.



Each little parcel being separately wrapped in tissue paper of different colours and pretty bows. Thanks so much Meri, I appreciate your friendship and loyalty.

Louise x


i

my photo

competition winner ...

I so enjoyed reading all the comments left on my 200th post. I asked where you blogged from and what a journey you took me on!

Readers from the UK as far north as Tyne and Wear, stopping off on the way in the West Midlands, and then on to the far west of Cornwall. Readers from all over the world from Adelaide to the Phillipines, to Porto, from British Columbia to Vancouver Island heading south, a vast journey travelling through many states of America.

Thanks to everyone who entered. The photo above holds a clue to who has won the heart-shaped card/photo holder?

The winner (from Wiltshire in the UK) is Dancing on a Blade of Grass!

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!