My new home!

Well in my dreams this is where I live anyway. To see photo's of the inside of this fabulous home follow this link http://www.costaverde.com/727.html

Sulgrave Manor

 

My daughter has been studying the Tudors at school so we recently visited Sulgave Manor, a lovely Tudor house and the ancestral home of George Washington, the first President of America. The visit was a real insight to the Tudor lifestyle. My kids weren't impressed by the lack of toys the Tudors children had and where even less impressed when I explained that only rich kids would have toys, the young ones like them would be a working!

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

Because in my corner of the UK it is a "Lovely Day".

Why?

Why would a snail want to climb up the side of our house? There's a snail trail from the path up to the roof (you can't see it on the photo but believe me it's there, although I am a bit disturbed by the fact that I have tried to take a pic of a snail trail!). Do you think he's just lost? Where is he now and do think he fell down or slid his way down? One of life's mysteries.

I hope all Dad's everywhere, had a lovely Father's Day yesterday!

It's that time again!

I can't believe it's already Summer Fayre time at my kids school. Where has the year gone? I have been banner making, tombola numbering and begging (for donations). For anyone that lives locally and fancies coming along, it's at Holmwood School, Kensington Drive, Great Holm, Milton Keynes 11- 2pm.

We live in Milk and Beans.........

 ............well that's what my kids named it when they were little. Milton Keynes is a strange, mostly new place but it's not only about concrete cows and roundabouts (although I gather there are 106 roundabouts and two sets of concrete cows). Recently, I have decided I like living here because we have lots of green spaces, practically no traffic problems, great shopping, a lovely theatre, a fantastic art gallery AND it's bicycle friendly. We have Red Routes which means you don't have to cycle on the roads! As both my kids are now on two wheels I really appreciate the freedom to pedal safely for a picnic or to visit friends. The other night my hubby and I cycled to the pub and wobbled home feeling like teenagers! Previously, I only saw the negatives of living in a place that I hadn't really chosen to live in, we just kinda ended up here, but now I see more good than bad. They say to love someone/something, you have to love the flaws too!
The video above is the 1970's ad for Milton Keynes.

Glorious colour

..........in my friend Theresa's kitchen. See her colourful design work here.

Back to it............

After a bit of a break over the half term hols, I'm back to work buzzing with ideas!

Stitch and Bake

At the weekend we visited my friends wonderful exhibition at  The Deda  in Derby. Theresa Hempsall's exhibition in the CUBE gallery is a tasty, textural collection of work inspired by her culinary passion, her love of sewing, fabrics and yarns and her sense of humour. Using a variety of hand and machine stitching, tufting and appliqué, Theresa has produced a vibrant fusion of drawings, stitched canvases, embroideries and tufted rugs. If you are in the area pop in and see Theresa's work and meet her as she is conducting some demonstrations and workshops. Follow this link for the dates and times she will be in the gallery.

A Scrumdiddleydumptious Day

Bogtrotter Cake

We had a fantastic day at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden over the Bank Holiday weekend. It's well worth a visit if you are in the area. The museum tells the story of Roald's life in a really creative way and describes how some of his famous characters came to life. I loved the brilliant Quentin Blake illustrations everywhere plus there is storytelling and lots of crafty activities. A truly inspirational day. Dahl said "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." I believe, I believe.........................