Posy

Where have all the birds gone? - part 1

I've bought all the equipment.

   

Read loads of books.

 

Filled and hung each feeder with care.

Nothing.

     

Then moved them to the very end of the garden by the trees.

Nothing.

Waited a few days for the word to spread that there is a very welcoming lady who lives in the house with the neglected garden.

Nothing. Feed is getting moldy.

Throw away food. Re-fil feeders.

Nothing.

    

Stand outside in the garden calling for the birds to come.

Nothing.

Plead.

Nothing. Oh, hang on - what's that?

"Ooh, is that a bird on my feeder?" I excitedly cry.

No, it was just my imagination.

"Why?" I ask Anth and the School Secretary who is a bird expert.

"I'll tell some of mine to go round to your house!" she says sympathetically.

Nothing.

"Perhaps, I need a bird table as well." I state.

Anth shakes his head with an emphatic no. "We're not wasting anymore money."

He has a point.

 

The trees are bird-less. But I'm not giving up hope. Oh no. That's why this post is a Part 1 as I'm sure there will be a Part 2 called,' Party at Jane's on the feeders.'

Yes, let's just wait and see.

Losing one's mind

     

The 2 old ladies in the charity shop where I bought it, thought it. The man in the Post Office thought it. Alice's friend Hollie thought it. Lisa thought it and just laughed. Lucy, Alice and Anth could not believe it. Had I lost my mind this time and all sense of taste?

Think picture. Think shells.

Got it?

 

You decide...

 

Huuge..

 

Could this be the biggest, most ginormous, piece of coal you've ever seen? It's bigger than the log.

Must be a record breaker. Surely.

The Flower Shop

      

        

Last week I promised you details of the new books that have been bringing me huge delight. As I told you here, I went into Waterstones and headed for the Interiors/Craft section as usual, and it was there that my eyes were drawn to the word 'Christmas' and 'Flower' ..(no surprise there!) I opened the first one and was transfixed.

      

Utter, utter gorgeousness. The books have been out for a couple of years and me being a bit behind the times had never heard of them before. There is little text on each page, but what there is describes the setting perfectly. The photographs are stunning - in fact I feel it is quite similar to a blog because of the personal nature of the pictures. It is seasonal, friendly, and very, very English.

Sally Page has a website with details of all her books (Amazon details here) including the following readers' quotes which describe her books so much better than I can.

“The Flower Shop" by Sally Page is more than just an indulgent and luxurious coffee table book.

Each page is a personal invitation for you to taste every detail, from the momentous to the mundane, of the lives of people who pass through the charming Wiltshire village of Tisbury and stop at "Ted Martin Flowers". The moment you pick up and open Sally's book, you feel like you have opened the door, walked into the shop and have been one of her treasured customers or friends for years.

The quality of the photography is stunning. It makes "Homes & Gardens" or "Gardens Illustrated" look like seed catalogues by comparison.

But this book is more than just a delight to the senses or a feast for the gardener's or flower-lover's eyes. The subject matter is the beauty of life itself - in all its familiar and surprising floral, human and rural forms.

With each chapter you are taken through the seasons of the year one month at a time, savouring the flowers, colours and people from that time of year in all their natural beauty.”

“This exquisitely photographed book takes you on a journey into the English countryside by way of sharing a year in the life of an English country flower shop, set deep in the heart of Wiltshire. Through her beautiful photography Sally captures the flowers and how they are used by people to mark significant moments in their lives, not only births, marriages and deaths, but the 'I bought you these, just because.....'moments too. The accompanying anecdotes in the text enable a glimpse into people's lives and the combination of this and the photography makes you feel part of the world she depicts and, if you're like me, want to be part of it too! There are even tips dotted about the book on how to look after your own flowers. I was given the book as a gift and I can think of no better present for someone who loves England, flowers and is interested in people.”

Amazon book details:

Review
A FLORIST who lives in Gillingham has secured a US publishing deal despite being told by mainstream UK publishers that her illustrated book was "too English" and that she was "not famous". Sally Page set up her own publishing company, Fanahan Books, after constant rejections from UK publishers who were unable to see the potential in her book, The Flower Shop. The first print of The Flower Shop was 1,500 and sold out in just a few months, so Sally has ordered a second print run, this time of 8,000 copies. Now Half Full Press in California has agreed to publish and market the book in the USA, along with her latest venture, The Flower Shop Christmas, which was launched this week. They have also asked Sally to undertake a book-signing tour of several US cities. Her books will also be available in UK bookshops after the Manning Partnership, a book sales, marketing and distribution company in Bath, said they would take on the books in the UK and Europe. The books are about an English country flower shop, Ted Martin's of Tisbury, where Sally works part-time. The first book charts a year in the life of the florist and the second takes the form of the 12 days of Christmas and reflects on life in the flower shop at this time of year. Sally said: "It was very hard to take the constant rejection that was involved in seeking a publisher for a book that I so passionately believe in. "I knew it was a good book but I found it very difficult to find someone to agree with me. "So, with my partner, Billy Kelly, we decided to take a major risk and publish the book ourselves. "Our luck changed dramatically when I met Garry Manning of the Manning Partnership, who gave the book to his wife, also Sally, to read. "She really liked it and advised Garry to take on the marketing of the book." For further information about the books, log on to englishflowershop.co.uk. --Dorset Echo

Product Description
If you have two pennies, spend one on bread and the other on a flower, says a Chinese proverb quoted in the introduction to this book. The bread will sustain life and the flower will give you a reason to live. This book represents Sally Page's choice of how to spend her second penny on a labour of love photographing and writing this record of a year in the life of a small English country flower shop, Ted Martin Flowers in Tisbury. A browse through the pages of this book will introduce you to the world of the flower shop. It allows you to share in the happiness of special occasions, the weddings, birthdays, christenings and so much more. But at times it also touches on the sadness, that at some time, is part of all of our lives.

    

I just love the Christmas one. Sally seems to have captured the essence of an English Christmas with her photographs.

   

I haven't yet bought a copy of 'Flower Shops and Friends' but I am hoping to soon when I have earned some more pocket money. Until then I am content to do some seasonal dreaming with the 2 books I have. I am so pleased to have found them and wish Sally every success. She deserves it.

 

---

My Space

 

I hope you all had a good weekend. Mine wasn't brilliant - got a touch of the blues yesterday where everything got on top of me - mainly our messy home, my migraines coming back (2 this week - I've had a wonderful 3 months almost migraine free) and neglected garden. I don't think a single positive thing passed my lips..poor family. 

I didn't get a chance to read them yesterday but I love newspapers, especially at the weekend because you get umpteen sections which usually include a Homes/Interior section. It was in one of those that I saw an article that showed a photo of a someone's dining room. The person had highlighted certain things that were meaningful to them and then labeled them on the photo. I found it really interesting having a mini guided tour so to speak, so I thought I might do the same and talk you through some of my bits. I randomly took a photo of my corner in the sitting room this morning and labeled most of the things. I hope you can read it but you may have to enlarge it.

Is there anywhere else you would like to see?

~ Reasons to be cheerful #5 ~ Quick fixes

How quickly should it work?

Have a good weekend and I'll see you on Monday - a size 8.

~ Reasons to be cheerful #4 ~ Gifts for everyone

 

Anth and I (due to half term for me and a couple of days holiday for him) went to Tavistock yesterday. We leisurely drove across Dartmoor amazed at the odd, rather large, piles of snow still lying in places and slightly shuddering at the bleakness of the place. I have to admit that at times I don't find Dartmoor..well..appealing. That is not something I easily admit to as I know I am fortunate to live fairly near to a National Park and yes I know there are some lovely parts; but it is the dramatic, almost harsh landscape that makes me a tad uneasy and my mind strays to what I would do if I was lost out there overnight. I can even be moved to tears at the thought of the cats being taken and then let loose on the moor. Alone and vunerable. Yes, also a tad over-imaginative too.

 

I love the mini forest though and this time my imagination saw wolves (big and bad of course) a house made of sweeties, a girl in a red hood and 3 bears. We stopped at Clapper Bridge for a leg stretch.

 

New bridge

 

Old bridge

And then it was onto Tavistock. Gifts were bought for all who were currently abiding at home this week.

Alice

 

(their clothes change if you wiggle the cup!)

Alfie & Posy

 

 

Though Posy was more excited by the bag the gifts came in.

Anth, well he has drunk his gift last night.

And me. Well, I got lucky and bagged 2 gifts.

Another flowery mug,

     

 

and a tray cloth which will be turned into a cushion - hopefully this week. So there were smiles from everyone but also, which was totally unexpected, a few tussles over the bag.

~ Reasons to be cheerful #3 ~ Sweet little Fire Engines

 

Not the usual run-of-the-mill fire engines. Oh no. But the cute, old fashioned 1950's sort of fire engine.

 

The sort that makes you smile when you are getting your petrol and makes you think of a character in a children's book.

 

"Why don't they make them like this anymore?" I ask the owner.

They do children's birthday parties instead. Lovely, I thought as I peeped through the window and could see all the helmets and jackets hanging up in a row. I remember that once upon a time my Tom would have loved to have come across this little, red engine. I go off to pay for my petrol in a cloud of nostalgia and quietly smile once more.

~ Reasons to be cheerful week #2 ~ Tea Bags

I bumped into my lovely friend Sarah at Sainsburys this weekend. When I think back to our conversation I have to smile because she must think me even giddy than she did before. When we had greeted each other and she asked me how I was, I answered then excitedly thrust a box of tea bags in her face.

 

"Aren't these tea bags in the nicest packaging? Look!"

The poor girl had no option but to look seeing they were right under her nose.

"Oh yes," she said politely, "they are very trendy and retro." 

Oh they so are. We chatted some more and then she left me to my tea bag love. I then spent the rest of the shopping trip fiercely guarding them in case they got squashed by the ridiculous amount of milk I have to buy, a large bag of cat litter and numerous boxes of bread sticks (my latest food must-have).

On arriving home I rush to show Anty who really wasn't at all interested that the packaging on our occasionally bought brand of tea bags has changed and is really trendy.

 

But it really is. It so has the look of 'now' and reminds me of the graphics in Handmade Nation and other trendy US books. Can you see it too?  Did I ever tell you that I bought that book last October? No. I don't think I did. I have only dipped in and out briefly but it looks inspiring and fills me with awe at the talent out there. As does 3191 A Year of Mornings (and evenings and soon to be Miles Apart! Read more here.) which I would love and is on my ever growing wish list. Talking briefly of books - (ooh, I just love books and the smell of bookshops. I'm into some serious bookshop love at the moment), I discovered a set of 3 books on Friday at Waterstones which has had me jumping from one foot to the other in pure joy. I even had to go back into Waterstones an hour later just to look at them again but found my favourite one had gone. Someone could have heard me oohing and arrhing over it and quickly bought it when I left the shop. Yeah, I bet that was it but I'm glad because I would like to support the author. Anyway, I haven't got any of them yet but when I do I'll show you. Oh, they are so, so wonderful and have been out for a year or two though I have never come across them until now. They have such an lovely quaint, English vibe about them.  I haven't been able to stop talking about my find..between the books and the tea bags I think everyone at home is zoning out every time I open my mouth. Shame. Thank goodness I have a blog where I can bore you all with my enthusiasm for the little things.

                   

Anyway back to the lovely packaging. I think good packaging is so important and the tea bags certainly caught my eye. So did the 2 mugs in the photo. They are from my latest, and first this year I hasten to add, charity shop run and I love them.

 

Can you guess which is my tea and which is Anth's? Yes, his is the more healthy Green tea where I like mine strong, sweet and preferably organic.

So, have I been able to open the boxes? No. I think I need to study them a bit longer even though I'm gasping for a cup of tea! See you tomorrow.

~ Reasons to be cheerful week #1 ~ Flowers from my Valentine

 

After nearly 25 years of married bliss we like to do things a bit differently from time to time. This year for Valentine's Day I received flowers of a different variety. The sort that you see in a Charity Shop window when they have just closed for the night. The sort that has you dreaming into the night of what wonders you may discover the following morning.

 

Although there were many to choose from I chose 3 small pots of flowers, 2 for a gift and 1 for me. But I was puzzled by something. What makes a pot of china flowers instantly cool or uncool? Old lady or eclectic, flea market style (Yeah, I know I sound old saying 'cool' that but I'm struggling to think of any other words at the moment!) As I examined each one there was something about each piece that made me instantly put it down disappointed. What could that be you may wonder as they all look wonderful from here? Well, I realised it's all about the little china container the flowers are in. Most of the above were in something odd like.. a donkey and cart (what?); a wheelbarrow (can sort of see that one but still don't really like); an old boot (why? There were quite a few of those in different colours); troughs (the pink one,bottom right in the photo. I can't work out why they have left a gap in the middle of each rose. I've been thinking I might be able to put a small picture in and use it that way so I may go back and have another look. Maybe.)

So, what were my small tokens of love for Valentine's Day.

 

A black pot of flowers (am loving the black as it goes so well with the black fire surround); and 3 flower brooches, one being an embroidered one which I don't find very often. Delicious Valentine's gifts that I chose and we bought together. No expensive roses or chocolates for me, thank goodness as they probably wouldn't last the week - but china and embroidered flowers..well, they will last a lifetime.

Too Much

It was after I had wandered into Alice's bedroom to get some pillowcases from the linen cupboard - glanced at the walls and then went straight into Lucy's room that I realised that we 3 Goble girls have a little problem with excess. Just a little.

 

First, we will look at Alice's obsession with the Jonas Brothers, Zac Efron and High School Musical and yes, if you look in the bottom left hand corner of the photo you will see 2 empty fromage frais tubes stuck to the wall! Why, I hear you ask has she stuck half eaten tubes of fromage frais on the wall and not put them in the rubbish? Because they have pictures of High School Musical on them..hmm. Nearly every square inch is covered with these boys and at Christmas poor Tom had to sleep with an enormous poster of Zac Efron hovering above him on the ceiling.

Now, onto Lucy bedroom.

 

She, sometimes aided by her mother, is amassing a rather large collection of necklaces, mostly vintage I'm happy to say and in the most part extremely pretty. This means that her dressing table is awash with necklaces of every sort; some muddled and in knots; piles heaped onto glass cake stands; some hanging from the mirror and some on hooks.

     

And then we have the handbags hanging from every door handle. Each Goble girl is guilty of handbag-love.

And finally the last, and indeed worst Goble girl. Me. One of my many obsessions is my love of bedlinen and especially vintage pillowcases. That once tidy and ordered linen cupboard is not as it should be...brace yourselves..

        

..ooh, it's so bad you can't even see the wallpaper at the back. What a dreadful muddle. It's not all bedlinen I hasten to add - there are tablecloths; cushion covers and all manner of lineny goodness in there too. But it is in bad need of a sort out.

 

And then we step outside the bedrooms and onto the landing where my collection of handiwork graces the walls - I have others waiting to be framed but we are almost out of space.  I won't show you the books (me)and shoes (Lucy and Alice) but you can get the picture I'm sure.

So it looks like my daughters have inherited my hoarding gene, bless them. And I think I should come clean and confess that if Chris Martin's picture was on some tubes of fromage frais they just might find themselves on my bedroom wall..empty of course.

Thank you again for your encouragement and kind words about my craft club. This week I even had 2 boys ask to join so it looks like it will be expanding but as it is just me I am going to expand slowly. Your book suggestions were great and I will try our library for the Lucinda Guy books.  I loved reading about your favourite soaps - again I found I hadn't even heard of some so will try and hunt some down. Isn't great when we swap ideas. Do have a joyful weekend wherever you may be.

On my mantelpiece today

 

As you may know, I absolutely adore winter, especially Christmas, and seem to head into a decline when the dull days of January and February are upon us and Christmas is just a memory. But there is a little something that always brings a bit of joy to these days - scented hyacinths in old enamel pots or old pudding basins.

   

This year, albeit too late I think, I have bought a few hyacinth forcing jars that were being sold off at a bargain price. They are in the cold, dark shed at the moment so I'm hoping they will flower - if not I will have the glass forcing jars for the autumn bulbs later on in the year. Mmm that's if I remember!

Yes, give me a pot of spring flowering bulbs anytime to help me ease into the brighter and longer days to come.

Spreading the bliss

 

As I have mentioned to you before, my job as a Teaching Assistant is rewarding and a privilege (that is 99% of the time); none more so than last week. I was talking about, rather passionately I must confess, and showing my second crochet cushion, to a small group of children and happened to noticed a certain light in the eyes of 2 little girls. At the end of the day one of them said to me,

 "You know Mrs Goble, you can be extra happy now as you can go home and do your thing."

"My thing?" I asked intrigued.

"Yes, your ..um.er..knitting thing," she replied.

Recognising the eagerness in the eyes and the fact she remembered what I had said, I asked,

"Would you like to learn to crochet or knit?" And with eyes shining she said she would.

So, I have decided to change my lunchtime Story Club to a Craft Club with just the 2 girls to start with. Our first session was last Wednesday. The girls had really been looking forward to it and it gladdened my heart when I walked out of the lunch hall and found them sitting in the corridor waiting for me, their smiles wide.  When we found a quiet corner and settled down I was suddenly hit with the realisation that I don't hold my hook correctly and I don't want to show them the wrong way. My heart sank. But then again, I'm not sure if that matters, I have found my own way of holding my hook which is comfortable to me but perhaps holding it like they show in the books is quicker. What a responsibility! In the end we just did a cord of chain stitch which they then wore as necklaces and bracelets. They loved it and I love the fact that I am hopefully awakening a love of craft which will be a bright light for them for the rest of their lives. What a privilege indeed.

If any of you have had the experience of teaching a child to knit or crochet I could do with some pointers if you are willing to share. Thank you. And now I'm off to hunt out my child size knitting needles.

Soap

 

Let's talk soap. Quite simply - this is my favourite soap and I haven't found another that can come even remotely close. They are Roger and Gallet Carnation soaps and I did want to show you the wonderful box they came in but alas I cannot find it (though I have just found this - a picture from Amazon  fancy being able to buy soap from Amazon; I never knew you could!) and double 'alas' again because this is my last one. Such a shame.

 

Their scent is strong, like an exaggerated version of the sweet but spicy fragrance of Garden Pinks, and oh so good. The soaps themselves are large and hard so they last a very long time and will also scent the room. I don't keep mine in the glass jar in the bathroom either; but in my underwear bag (no drawers for me..no pun intended!) or linen cupboard (which doesn't look anything like this now, not at all, it's so, so messy. Very, very much.)

 

My mother has always used them and I originally bought my first bar many years ago because I was missing her in what ever part of the world I was in, and knew the scent would bring her close. I'm hoping that Lucy and Alice might carry on the tradition, but we'll see.

And because I so enjoyed hearing about your favourite candles (and discovering new ones) - can you humour me once more and now tell me about your favourite soaps. .oh, and of course where you keep them!? 

Weekend sewing & snuggling

     

Well hello friends, another weekend been and gone. I can't believe it is almost the middle of February already..where does the time go?

A happy and productive weekend was had in the Goble household which saw me sit at my sewing machine for the first time this year. Gosh, it's been so long. I came across a black embroidered doily in my stash which had been casually placed on top of some thrifted green fabric. I noticed that the green stitching on the doily matched the fabric rather well so a strange new cushion was born. I mean what could I have done with a black doily anyway? Probably lots you'll tell me!

  

I backed the cushion with a very narrow piece of fabric I bought a long time ago from Amy, and fastened it with vintage linen buttons. And yes, I think I prefer that side to the doily; though the black of the doily does echo the fire surround and the rug.

   

There was some snugly movie watching too. Unfortunately, we forgot that our DVD player was broken so we had to watch Mamma Mia played through Tom's PlayStation console, on his 14 inch portable TV in our bedroom.

    

It was a bit of a squash as we all tried to fit on our bed and still have a view of the tiny screen, especially as the cats decided to join us; but in all honesty, I wouldn't have had it any other way..

In answer to the lovely Mel's comment:
The sofa should be white but certainly is not at this moment.  Honestly. It is sporting black ink that has rubbed off from the Sunday newspapers, spots of melted chocolate, tea stains and a rather suspicious yellow stain which I'm praying isn't cat sick!

 

Lifelong ambition # 4

Collecting the logs in a snowstorm...

       

 Well almost. Yes I know, I know - you can if you look carefully still see the tops of the short blades of grass; and by the time I had washed my hair, got dressed and out it had stopped snowing; but it is the nearest I've been to this lifelong ambition.  

I have always, wanted to be snowed in and to have to battle with the elements as I stagger to our wood pile in heavy snow and driving winds, to gather wood to warm my family. The snow blinding me and freezing my cheeks - the family watching from the window willing me on as I stoop low carrying our precious load. Yeah, I have a tendency to lean towards the dramatic, but then get me on the topic of having to use a shovel as well and watch me go into orbit!    

Devon awoke to snow again after an evening of torrential rain. Well it's more slush in our town but in other parts of the county people are without electricity and some being stuck on the roads, slept in their cars. Me, jealous? Yeah. Alice's school has closed which I think is a slight over-reaction, but she happy. Lucy not!

Anyway, back to my lifelong ambition #4. I'm bitterly disappointed as it didn't really live up to my dreams. Tramping up a soggy, muddy lane (first in my fake Ugg boots...yeah, how dumb was that?!!) and discovering your shed's roof has leaked onto our once dry logs; then carrying heavy logs on slippery bricks - not so good. Lastly, there was this..

 

I seemed to have brought most of the snow indoors, stuck onto the bottom of our pink trug. Oh dear. I hadn't thought about that either - see I'm such a snow novice.

Thank you, thank you for all your comments yesterday. I love the 'conversation' we all seem to have - it makes me feel like I belong to a little community. A lovely supportive one at that. I have never heard of tart candles so am going to look into that and the Yankees, Lily Flame and The White Co etc. So thanks again. Have a warm and cozy weekend.

Thursday's Joy

            

I really love this candle and I wish you were able to smell it as it is just delightful. Just like Mimosa. I saw it whilst shopping with my mother ages ago on our annual Christmas visit to Dartington's Cider Press Centre. When I smelt it I was transported to warmer, sunnier climes and couldn't believe how sweet it smelt. I put it down again when I realised that it was a little more than I would normally spend on a candle; but discovered it a few weeks later in my Christmas stocking. She bought it for me - bless her.

I struggle a bit with candles. I really do love scented ones but can't bring myself to spend much money on them. I have often read about how wonderful Jo Malone candles are (all the celebrities love them) but at £30 or more I just can't pay that. But I know that to get a lasting and strong fragrance (I want the whole room to be full of the fragrance) one probably has to pay more than £3! Then, my other dilemma is that I then don't want to use it up. But then again, I believe ultimately that life is for using your favourite things - perfumes, plates, linens and clothes, but I struggle with using my 'posh' candle and my Cath Kidston writing paper. So I limit my use of both.

So, please tell me -  do you have a Jo Malone candle (is it worth it?) or can you recommend any other brand of candle. And do you have anything you use sparingly because it is so lovely?   

Oh, such lovely stuff!

        

For the last few days I have had my nose buried in the new 2009 Cath Kidston catalogue; that's when I'm not scanning the horizon for snow. They have given it a new makeover and I have to say it meets with my approval. There are some lovely new lines and a particularly beautiful new print called Spray Flowers which has a vintage feel.

But enough of me rabbiting on - let's have a quick glimpse at some of the loveliness.

           

    

 

   

             

{all photos Cath Kidston}

I would dearly love to wear the flowery dresses but I need to lose a few pounds before I do..sigh..one day...but you don't need to be skinny to carry a flowery bag in which there is a flowery purse, one's migraine medicine in a flowery zip cosmetic bag, and one's keys on a flowery keyring fob. No, my friends, you can be any size for that.

Spring?

 

I've been lacking recently in the garden department and it has been bothering me. A lot. Autumn came and went without any bulb planting..bother. Then Christmas came and went, along with a house full of visitors, without any pots planted up with 'winter interest'..more bother. If I hadn't been so stressed I would have cringed with embarrassment at the pots of dead summer bedding jostling for space on our patio. Well, OK, I did cringe with embarrassment. A lot.

Anyway, last weekend I actually spent some time in the garden and potted up some primulas, some grape hyacinth and my first hellebore.

 

It made me feel good to be pottering outside again and even better that our patio looks pretty again.

"Right, I'm ready for Christmas!" I declared to Anth.

"What on earth do you mean?" he asked.

I explained that now I had sorted out my pots our visitors could arrive for Christmas..

"Huh, a bit too late for that.." he said.

Hmm. But the funny thing is Christmas sort of arrived.. well the snow did. Now when I say snow I mean the rest of the UK has ground to a stand still but here in South Devon..we have sun.

That was until 3.30pm when a few flakes fluttered past the window.

 

The excitement levels were high.

The cats were intrigued and bewildered, but looked so cute with snowflakes upon their whiskers and their sweet little paw prints in the snow. Ok, ok, I did make them go out in it but it was all for the photo opportunity - serious cute factor- but not for long..honestly!

 

And suddenly my spring flowers didn't look quite so spring-like.

 

 

And for those of you who are quietly chuckling at the fuss over a light dusting of snow, I can only smile along with you and hope like mad it will still be with us tomorrow. 

Lunch with Chris

 I wasn't going to do it. I really wasn't. Especially as I had spent the last week on tender hooks (gosh that looks such an odd saying when one actually types it!) due to 2 competitions, yes 2, to be in an audience of just 30 people with Chris Martin. An acoustic set with just him. Oh my. Now I don't need to explain that next to him sitting on my sofa and playing, an intimate 30 people acoustic set would be the next best thing. Lucy, Matthew and I entered but I went one better, so I thought, and added extra clout..I prayed. One of the radio stations involved would ring you whilst on air and you had to answer a Coldplay question. I was terrified I maybe chosen and then get the question wrong.  Heavens above, I still go into a cold sweat when I think of that scenario. Also I was worried that they may ring whilst I was in class and the children would be scared by my screaming because scream I would! Anyway, as you guessed it, the children were fine as screaming wasn't called for...my phone stayed quiet. Too quiet.

So the next best thing was to watch a live feed of Chris's performance on Friday lunch time. I wasn't going to as I thought it would upset me as I wasn't there..(me a poor loser. Never!)..but come the actual time I couldn't resist, relented and logged on.

     

And waited and waited. I got more and more excited. There were only a certain number of feeds available to watch it and I managed to get one thus sending my excitement levels into orbit. And still I waited. The crochet came out. Then we were told Chris was running late. Then Chris's car had just pulled up. Chris was in the building. Chris was now next door. An whole hour later, his sweet face filled my screen.

 

Notice Alfie by the fire? Poor Alfie had been sleeping quite peacefully next to me all that time; was rudely awakened by my squealing and was sulking on the rug.

And there I sat, overcome for 4 minutes and then the screen suddenly went blank and a notice came up saying that was all for today. I was speechless. An hours wait and then they cut the feed. They didn't say they were going to do that.

So, what is a girl to do when she had got herself ready for some Chris-love only for it to be cruelly snatched from her? Yup, she watches some video footage and puckers up for a big smackerooney.

   

 

See, he's blowing one back to me!

(Ha, I would love to say that I waited for that part in the video but alas it is all a fluke. An rather sad fluke at that!)

P.S Doh! I've been blonde..it should have been 'tenterhooks' not tender hooks. Thank you Cath for pointing it out. It's not the first time I've got sayings wrong, much to my family's mirth, and it probably won't be the last!