Hidden talents

We  have been  in the middle of a major redecoration of our dining room for some time. Well actually it feels like years... woodchip wallpaper has been scrapped off and Mr Johnson the plasterer has magically made the walls smooth and mended 100 year old surfaces. Its all white, wonderful and I know ever inch of the terracotta floor tiles personally... they have been pressure washed, scrapped, scrubbed, oiled, beeswaxed, polished....and now they shine. But best of all is the new dresser. I showed husband a picture and he went into the garage and five days later look what he had made! And painted it too when I thought my arms would fall off from all the polishing... and its got lovely big wooden handles too... I'm very pleased and I promise never tease him about his garden gnome again...

South Common summer fete

At the end of July local people organised a summer day fete on our common. It wasn't a commercial affair, no burgers or ice creams, nothing to buy really, but lots to do for families. There was pond dipping with the conservation students, archery, guided walks, willow weaving, wood carving, just country things.... Best of all were the three teams of heavy horses, who turned the cut grass, stood to receive all compliments so graciously, and were the stars of the day. Eight legs completely in harmony as they cornered at the end of each row without any tangles too!

 












It was a lovely day, so good to see people just sitting under the trees, watching, chatting to their neighbours, playing with the children and remembering childhood memories of the common. Max and Jill ran a children's art competition and pictures were drawn of the things they could see. It was simple celebration of our wonderful common.

Celebrations

  It seems more important  than ever that we should celebrate the things we are good at. Last weekend the Impish Quilters held an exhibition of quilts they have made in the last few years. The display was the village hall at Hackthorn, a beautiful setting with a duckpond, stables and and pony gymkarna going on in the next field. The sun shone, the cakes were amazing and we had 150 visitors . Outside the quilts fluttered in the breeze and inside they hung from the big quilt stands made by Geoff. The skill and talent of the makers was very apparent, quilts, cushions and Amish dolls filled the hall in a riot of colour. Watch out for any local quilt shows near you - they are always worth a visit! This a photo of my friend Jill's quilt.

Families

Families are things to be treasured. But sometimes they get forgotten and time goes by. Then maybe by chance you find them again. Everyone is  looking a little older and some are not always in the best of health. But they are still loved, deserve care and attention, they may become good friends with new children one day... So in the next few days I will be attempting the first total body transplant for a member of our monkey family..... he has a nasty case of stuffing disease! So now and again look in your attic and just check that your own families of treasured teddies are ok!

Families

Families are things to be treasured. But sometimes they get forgotten and time goes by. Then maybe by chance you find them again. Everyone is  looking a little older and some are not always in the best of health. But they are still loved, deserve care and attention, they may become good friends with new children one day... So in the next few days I will be attempting the first total body transplant for a member of our monkey family..... he has a nasty case of stuffing disease! So now and again look in your attic and just check that your own families of treasured teddies are ok!

Admirers

Janet has had a spam e mail. It says she has 'numerous authentic admirers available' and to send a cheque to get their addresses. But  Janet says she bets they won't be any good at doing the ironing, so doesn't think she will bother. We wondered what they might look like, these admirers... tall, dark haired, with a twinkling eye and a pencil line moustache, would they Sweep Her Away on a cruise? We are sure they wouldn't be safe in taxis, as granny used to say...So here is a vintage paper pattern for a silk dressing gown for just such a man, so you will be able to spot an admirer if you get a message like Janet...

Support your local shop

Its good to support your local shop. In Lincolnshire we have lots of farm shops. This week I bought asparagus from a outside a backdoor, putting the money in the honesty box, so much easier than the serve yourself machine in the supermarket... no bossy voice... no unexpected item in the bagging area either! Soon it will be strawberries  in lovely recyclable cardboard punnets, black currants, raspberries, and the jam cupboard will be full. But recently I found a new place to buy eggs. From very happy hens. Whose business was doing very well, earning lots of money for new furnishings in the nest box.....Well you'd buy from them too wouldn't you!