Right up my street… (snarf, snarf)

 

Don’t look now but I may have ticked another accomplishment off my list… The street party yesterday went fabulously and here is a little taste of the day…

My cupcakes were gorgeously tasting, quite prettily decorated (those will be engagement rings on the bottom row) but sadly came away from the street bakeoff empty-handed…

Preparations started at 9.30 with bunting ago-go and the under 8s of the street rapidly realising there was a playground on their doorstep!!

    

Soon the garden furniture was out, the barbeque was list, the sound system was installed and, to the dulcet tones of the Andrews Sisters and Aretha Franklin, the drinking and cake judging began…   

 

Fun and games included Giant Jenga and facepainting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

By the end of the day, a very strung-out and hyperactive Tilly had enjoyed herself to the bitter end and took a very reluctant bath to remove all traces of sidewalk-chalk, hot dog, cake and orange squash from her hair…

 

So that Mummy could return the clear-up, congratulate her partner in crime and get herself a well-earned cup of tea!

 

All these pictures perfectly sum up a lovely day and a very ad-hoc homespun kinda party… This picture, though, taken by a much more talented snapper neighbour, makes the whole thing look much more stylish!

You learn a new thing every day…

Frozen fruit will prevent jelly from setting…

I currently have a fridge full of liquid syrupy sweet gloop in pretty molds that I am entirely unable to use. Looks like the compost heap is going to have a good day.

Sad times.

The worst of it is that I discovered this this morning and so have wasted four packets of jelly thinking that it just needed a stronger set. And now have no means of starting again. Pants.

Recent Busy-ness

Getting through a lovely commission for a good friend, via her husband, for a ‘Cotton’ anniversary preset. Two cushions with their initial letters on, to go with the decor of their new bedroom. Fabby!

 

Exploring the local attraction with the little one and marvelling at the flutter-byes.

 

Starting new projects with abandon, while I finish up old projects.

 

Baking ago-go for a baby shower for a fabulous friend.

 

Getting hot and bothered watching other people get hot and bothered…

  

Hunting, searching and scoffing…

 

Boozy puds ago-go… TiaMaria Tiramisu and Pimms Jelly!

 

And last but not least… trying Cake Pops for the very first time!

 

Needless to say… they were just to Madam’s liking…

Sweater Loving

Twist & Tango Oversize Jumper £77.50

Boutique by Jaegar Sailor Intarsia Jumper £125

Whistles Elma Fisherman Stitch Jumper £95

Whistles Bella Chain Cardigan £165

All images from asos.com

Knitted by Nanas…

Who knew…

Shreddies had it right all along…

Grannies Inc.

 

You design it, they knit it. Amazing.

Dawdling and dancefloors…

 

An exploration in the sun and a trample about in a new frock…

A stride to be reckoned with and a sunhat to be spotted in…

 

A sunny day immersed in history…

 

Admiring the beauty in the old and mundane…

And the delight to be found playing with Daddy’s favourite toy…

Reflections and Ruminations – an update

The list is going pretty well

1. Go to one restaurant a month that I’ve never been to before

January – Dinner complete with silver ‘reveal’ domes at the Eastwell Manor Hotel

February – Took part in first Supper Club at the Courtyard Cafe for Valentines Day

March – Afternoon Tea at the Ellenborough Park Hotel

1. Eat 5 foodstuffs I’ve never tried before One tick – Romanesque Broccoli
2. Bake bread. Actual bread. Not just yeast-assisted cakes
3. Knit something in Fair Isle/stranded colourwork or a complicated lace shawl
4. Give handmade presents this year (I’ve given myself a loophole in case I run out of time to make every present myself) – and make them GOOD THINGS that are wanted and liked and appropriate and… and… and…
5. Listen to 10 albums by artists I’ve not listened to before (suggestions welcome)
6. Write a letter for Tilly to open when she’s 18
7. Write a letter to myself to open when I’m 60
8. Read three ‘classic’ books I haven’t read before
9. Drink only water for one month this is going to be HARD – tea… wine??
10. Don’t complain about anything for a week
11. Go completely ‘unchained’ for a month (ie no shopping at any chainstores for food, clothes, etc)
12. Unplug for a whole weekend (no phone, Internet, television etc.)
13. See 10 ‘classic’ movies I’ve never seen
14. Workout for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks
15. Write a list of 101 things I’ve already achieved in this lifetime
16. Write a list of 50 things I like about myself
17. Write 5 letters to 5 people who changed my life
18. Sleep in a tent, outside, with my husband and my daughter
19. Make £100 from my crafting in one calendar month £106 made! WOOPPEE!!
20. See 9 performances featuring my friends (acting, singing, dancing etc) – professional or amateur Tick One:Fiona Bevan at the Tate Modern
21. Help organise a street party for the Royal Wedding: Getting there! Permission granted from local council! Invitations (gorgeous design, non?) distributed and first planning meeting tomorrow evening!
22. Help organise a Big Lunch party for local families
23. Go a week without spending any money bar Tilly essentials – diapers etc
24. Grow a plant in this house that does not die within four weeks of ownership
25. Have a ‘no rubbish’ week
26. Don’t swear for a week this is going to be bloody difficult – geddit???
27. Take part in three craft swaps – the two last year were BRILLIANT and they made me so happy!
28. Put aside £10 for every I task I complete to buy myself a fabulous birthday present
29. Donate £10 to charity for every task I don’t complete

Hooky time

The deadline is looming…

The hook has been on fire…

Borders ago-go…Nearly there. 

Flipping fabulous

I love this recipe…

   

Half fat to flour

4, 4, 2 and 4

5, 5 and 3…

Something about having a recipe in your head in figures that you can be sure of, but that you don’t have to refer to a book for, is very satisfying. Seems to sum up laissez-faire domesticity and retentive specificity in one easy recipe…

Or just a tasty little supper for a family…