Tea and roses and a rather lovely award...

This is soooo pretty! The lovely Sophie at Country girl does Norfolk nominated me for this award, which is very sweet and definitely undeserved- I don't think I make enough effort to even come close to any other of the fab blogs I read, like hers! But thank you! Again, I am not sure I read enough blogs to participate properly and I am not quite sure what the rules are! I think there's something about linking to other blogs and sharing random facts. However, this is sooo pretty, I just have to display it!!

So... er....those random facts. HOW random are we talking. I shall let my mind, which ends up meandering all over the place, do the leading...

1. I can speak Indonesian pretty well! (having studied/lived in Bali.)
2. This reminds me that I have been in the vacinity or avoided being in the vacinity of several major accidents and notable incidents- I was in Bali for the bomb in 2002 a few miles away, I was on a train that was on the tracks earlier before the Potters bar railcrash, I should have been using the tube lines around the time on the day of the July attacks on the tube in 2006 (was that when they were?) but for going on school work experience at the last minute that week.
3. I had a piece of music published when I was 12 years old. (true it was a small publishing company, but it seemed pretty cool at the time).
4. I have very big feet! Size 8!
5. I love TEMPEH. It is a delicious sort of solid mixture of fermented soya beans a bit like tofu in its ingredients but a TOTALLY different texture! There is a lovely warung in Solo, Java that cooks the most amazing fried tempeh in batter for about 2p a piece!!! It is a staple of Indonesian diets, is incredibly versatile and I miss eating it regularly!!! There's even a site dedicated to it!
6. I am scared of bunsen burners!
7. I was a runner-up in a Blue Peter competition in which you had to design a new character for a cartoon called Oscar's orchestra which was a cool cartoon about animated musical instruments voiced by Dudley Moore. Apparently there were 28,900 entries. Proudest moment of my life!

The blogs I nominate are:
Lauren at Someone like you - she is an amazing styler! Her blog is always lovely!
Monique at Lady M -one sassy and very lovely blogger!
My style- vintage and me who is very cool!
Laura at Daisychain dream for being so inspirational and delightful not to mention pretty darn fab in the style stakes.
Lakota at Faith, hope and charity shopping -only recently become acquainted with her blog but love it!
Dial V for vintage -she's sooo cool!

Clad with bunting

We celebrated CBC's birthday in style by engaging in a jolly country, interesting cuisine pub Incidently, I enjoyed Water Melon, Prosciutto Ham and Feta with Chilli Ice Cream and for my main, Crispy Duck, Mooli, Carrots, Hoisin, Spring Onions, Watercress and Plum Sauce salad. (Interestingly it was the pub where my Mum and Dad had their wedding reception! Weird, I only found that out a week ago or so!)

I spent FAAAAAR too much time NOT doing school work on the Sunday afternoon, instead I made CBC's birthday card. I intend to post piccies of it when I've managed to get the blue-tooth on my phone/computer working (because, though it's not the most immaculate professional-looking or impressive card I've ever made by far, I'm really pleased with it). I ended up making him a card with interactive bunting- i.e. I sewed around 1.5 m of bunting (cut, sewn all by myself!) which he could then decorate anywhere he wanted with (what with the 'royal wedding' and all that- which curiously seems to be the phrase du jour...)

When we arrived at the pub- he decided to decorate ME with it!

In a fairly conservative (in the sense of - we are from Essex, we follow the crowd, we don't do anything that would seem to be quirky. Probably being mean here :-) ) Essex sense, it attracted some strange looks, giggles, (and likely - "One of those strange hippy types," mutterings, considering I was also wearing a sailor cardigan, big floppy hat and a flowery dress. By the way, do you like my sailor cardigan? Please say yes because I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and general banter.

We removed to get a little taste of 'the country' to the nearby windmill, where it seemed I was considered part of the scenery! It's WEIRD being so close to a windmill (but obviously, wonderfully thrilling!)

I decided that actually, bunting is quite a nice accessory to wear (and I liked the fact it provided a landmark for the bar staff at the Hoop pub later on, who when bringing me my pot of Earl grey, was told by the person at the bar who'd served me to, "Head for THE HAT!")

Here's a front view of the bunting, since I am feeling generous ;-)

Later, we decided it was prudent to establish CBC as eccentric genius in his new job by using the bunting for the purpose it was intended- to decorate his car! Tasteful wouldn't you say. Much nicer than that tacky Union flag affair that is everywhere else (hee hee)!


I like this picture below, a) because it presents my cardigan from another angle (it makes me happy! Did I mention I love it?) and also because this is such a ubiquitous Kezzie moment- total ignorance of the camera due to studious concentration on the important stuff in life- i.e. scoffing bread. There's definite rivalry going on between me and N ("Has she had more than me?" "He's hogging the balsamic vinegar!" "Hope he doesn't eat any more." "She's got a big appetite for a girl.")

Speaking of bunting, we are going to be making patterned TASTEFUL bunting in art tomorrow, creating patterns of red, white and blue, which we will string up. We are also dressing up as Kings, Queens, Princesses and Princes. In addition, my choir are therefore giving "A concert for royalty"- literally!)

Better go and find my tiara and my Regency ball gown...

Easter treats!

I received some really lovely Easter treats which I didn't deserve! CBC's mum bought me a beautiful handmade set of chocolates, covered in flowers, and one with a cute caterpillar!!!



CBC bought me a lovely Chocolate Alchemist mint egg- I adore mint chocolate!


CBC also received cute handmade easter eggs which I just had to take pictures of as they were soooo sooo pretty! Hand-decorated with flowers!




We decreed that CBC looker rather like an upside down egg here! (hee hee!!! A very cute one!)

Inappropriate outfits for a cycle ride/epic trek???

Question: Do you think elaborate lycra cycling gear is necessary? Or could I get away with London-Brighton in a pretty girly way?

10 things to be thankful for, to dispell the interminable gloom of School!

It's been a wonderful holiday, really restorative, joyful, healthy and delightful (I'm done with the adjectives, I promise). I've enjoyed every bit of it so once again the aegis of gloom has headed over me at returning to school. Poor CBC, when I missed my train from his earlier (engineering works- a plague of locusts upon ye, you pesky scoundrels!!!!), I virtually cried, such was the misery of it. So, here, to cast this onto the winds and look positively, I shall try to think of all the things I have been thankful for this holiday:

1. Dear friends and relatives. CBC's lovely lovely family who are always so welcoming, kind and generous, who make me feel one of them and who value each other, despite bantering. My family, who are kind and generous.
2. The rest- time to relax, ponder, read, sing, laugh, cycle...
3. The beauty of contrast between wonderful Northern landscapes and my own suburban existence: beautiful fresh air, emerald hues, expansive skies, new life.
4. Blossom! Confetti on you each day
5. Selfless people who take on your burdens and do things for you.
6. Delicious food of varying sorts- specially when lovingly prepared by others.
7. The sunshine OH the sunshine!
8. Clouds: amazing, varied, magical.
9. Learning new things: It's fun reading a new book, learning new words, learning a script, learning songs, learning about clouds...
10. Fun expeditions, and I can even see the positives in my plethora of bruises- badges to show adventurous cycles!
11. Dresses! So exciting looking for suitable dresses for SoM, especially when finding the vintage clothing section in Corbridge Antiques centre!
12. Crisps- oh how I have MISSED you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13. Having for this term, comprehensive, well-thought out music plans from last year, that need very little tweaking as worked excellently last year.
14. For fun virtual gamelan which I can't wait to use with the kids. So thankful for people that have the time to create amazing resources: Have a look and play the gamelan at http://www.cite-musique.fr/gamelan/shock.html
15. For the promise of ANOTHER joyful bank holiday so soon.
16. The fact that I am able and healthy enough to have this job that I am being so gloomy and ungrateful about.
17. The lovely staff who I am sure will cheer me up!
18. For my wonderful bed which I missed soooooo much this holiday! Sooooo comfy
19. For my lovely sailor cardigan and hilarious massive floppy hats (clad with bunting- more of that later) which provided much amusement for the inhabitants of a beer-garden this afternoon- nice to be able to provide amusement and to be protected from the sun!
20. Thankful that CBC loved his birthday presents- nice to be able to have the time and resources to think of them.
21. Thankful that I am able to walk to school,not have to rely on public transport!

(Trying to terrifiedly be thankful for the spider that has just run over the table, thankyou whereever you've gone for not eating me and eating nasty flies instead)
Oh and
22. Castanets!





Look, the sun's come out! I simply remember my favourite things and then I don't feel so baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!

A little bit of what I like!

15. Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love

I received this as a Christmas present. Seemed from the cover, like it might be Chicklit but it has proved educational, sensitive, emotive and downright intriguing, this had all the makings of being one great read! I think it was chosen because of my Bali connection. The book begins with a sort of introduction to where Liz Gilbert (autobiographical) shows how she came to reach the decision to take sabbatical from her life. She is a 30 thing, gone through messy-divorce, spiritually aware, but seeking something. She decides to spend a year away from the U.S- 4months in each place- India, where she indulges her love of food. India, where she lives in an ashram, learns all about meditation and Bali, where she learns peace from a toothless Balinese medicine-man named Ketut Liyer!
Right away in the country-visits, you gain an amazing sense of place, colour, vibrancy and all the senses are awakened. I literally felt I was experiencing the food of Italy, could imagine all the Indian experiences and of course in Bali, there were many things I found myself saying, "That's sooooo true!" to, even though she was coming from a wealthier, different location from my experience (student life). The book is really heartfelt and highly entertaining. Plus, she uses excellent vocabulary and I learnt one of two new words along the way. I like this one:
Moniker–noun Slang .
a person's name, especially a nickname or alias.


Read it- it's interesting!

Amazon, my great image benefactors- thank you! It's available there!

Delight in the lakes

Yesterday we journeyed to the Lake District, led by 'Wise old man of the mountain' (Hereafter known as WOMOTM hee hee!) to climb Hindscarth. Originally we were to journey onto Robinson but unfortunately, due to other plans and an inherent inability to get up early, meant we returned down Dale Head which was luckily very exciting! It was an idyllic day! CBC and WKWTTG were like mountain goats, often leaving WOMOTM and myself lagging miles behind!

We had an exciting time including delicious picnic of epic salad and rolls, plus an abundance of Kallo's chocolate covered rice cakes, CBC and WKWTTG flew our kite on one of the ridges, plus we inadvertantly met these guys who are completing in an epic challenge consisting of 65miles of fell running, a tandem cycle from John O'Groats to Landsend and kayaking from Devises to Westminster!

The majority of the journey was delightful! Some very hot scrambling and a couple of steep downhill moments that required spider type manouveres from me to get down, some 7 miles, taking around 5-6 hours. It was glorious!!! We were of course exhausted afterwards!

I really wish my class could experience something like this. So many of them don't get to experience the great outdoors, enjoy creation firsthand, delight in the feeling of an honest exhaustion! I am thankful for my wise and caring guides!!!

Most of beautiful photos are the work of WOMOTM!!! Thank you for your beautiful images!

Photos are in random order due to Blogger being a meany!



Looking back down the ridges

Contemplating the view



Scenic river views.




A very strange looking cairn!


Heading towards a dreamy tarn



Looking down at where we had to get back to!

Onto Dale Head! We've got to go ALL the way along that???????





Beautiful panorama despite the haze!



Sometimes a hug is all you need!



Flying the kite up high



On and on and on....
Hee hee, naughty antics with banana skins, trying to hide them in each others' rucksacks ensued.



Have you visited any of the lakes?

Riding on the rails

On Sunday morning, we began our day with a beautiful cycle. Here is CBC's beautiful elevation chart that shows our route.

With my high-starched collar and my high-top shoes and my hair piled high upon my head.

I went to lose a jolly, hour on the trolley- WAIT, no, this isn't a Judy Garland musical, this is Kezzie on a bike, no musical about this! Fierce concentration!

Here we are at the start. I was a bit grumpy trying to adjust my new white helmet (WHY oh WHY don't they have girly ones- pale blue with daisies on?)



Kezzie


CBC


We began in Haltwhistle, riding up the main road.
It all went well for a time, a couple of hairy moments. The sun was glorious although there was a chill wind blowing. The fields were beautiful, everything was lovely.
We crossed over the train-tracks here and there, several times, so we decided to dice with our lives and stop smackbang in the middle of the tracks!


Dastardly Dick


Penelope Pitstop

Then we crossed a very narrow bridge. I was not happy! Notice the feet dangling down. I pushed myself over it! It's like I am a magnet for fences in narrow spaces!



Then there were a couple of ACME, build-your-own evil hills which made me grumpy as I could not get up them, so I had to trudge up the remainder.

I cheered up when I saw our new house :-)



Then we carried past Ridley Hall (where the Queen Mum was proposed to by King George don't you know!), carried on through Allen banks. I didn't like the vicious uphills though was appeased by pretty greenery.


Seriously grumpy.
HATE HILLS!


YAY, reached the top!



Finally, we reached our future home, Langley Castle (hee hee). Sadly, didn't stop for tea.


Here's CBC rehearsing for his part in the Sound of Music: 'I am 28, going on 29'


We reached our final destination in Hexham via Tyne Green! I managed the final hill with a couple of gritted teeth comments to CBC who was trying to encourage me (DON'T TALK DON'T TALK!!!!)

We enjoyed a delicious lunch and journeyed to Hexham abbey for choral evensong which was lovely and proceeded to the cinema to see a special Palm Sunday viewing of 'O Little town of Bethlehem' which was very thought-provoking regarding the situation in Jerusalem.

All in all, twas an idyllic day! The bike total was 21.8 miles. Haven't increased yet but will endeavour to before the return to real life!

How was your day?

How do you solve a problem like Maria's dress?

My quest for the elusive dresses is currently irritatingly fruitless. On Saturday afternoon I trawled Hexham's finest charity shops but found very little vintage beauty (read Vintage in these charity shops as minging size 20 1980's monstrosities). There were a couple of truly vile Laura Ashley bridesmaid dresses that in a desperate moment I considered but decided against it. The 'horrid' dress isn't going to be a problem, I just need to wear something that really doesn't suit me. The pretty one is proving problematic.

Until yesterday. I was reading The Times Style Mag and I saw THE DRESS! It was perfect, so perfect that I felt my heart stop! I saw this dress. As soon as I could prise CBC away from the laptop (I waited till he left the room and jumped on none too surreptitiously), I headed for ASOS and searched: Eventually, I found it here. It screams 1950's beauty! It also screamed Sold out. I screamed inwardly, wanting it all the more for its elusiveness. On the video it swished perfectly. I imagined dancing the Laendler with Captain Von Trapp, I imagined dancing a lindyhop in it. I imagined summer's picnics, myself like the lady in Monet's Picnic sur L'Herbe. I imagined walking in wildflower meadows in glorious sunshine. SOLD OUT!

Those words ring in my mind like a ostinato hissing, 'You'll never find the dress'.

I innwardly began grumping about a flock of fashionistas who must have looked in the magazine this morning and thought, 'Oh that's a pretty dress, I'll have it.' To you, whoever you are, I plead and beg, 'Please do you really want it as much as me?!' I know that it sold out that day as it was still on the website (now it isn't).

Does anyone have any ideas where I can find a dress as perfect as this? The pale blue one below also seemed a grudging runner-up but it's not available in my size 8 or at a push, size 10.





Swishtastic



Chiffon delight



Mink perfection



Joy in a pretty dress


The grudging runner-up.

Thanks to ASOS.co.uk for your beautiful dress images.

Flowers flowers flowers....

Finally managed to use a device on CBC's laptop to enable me to bluetooth grainy pictures from my jurassic mobile to the computer! So here I present some amateur attempts at card designs. I was inspired by some ideas and papers that came free with a craft-magazine, but with my own adapted versions, usually using less expensive materials and recycling elements, e.g. instead of using Kandee accents, I used Pebeo Touch, 3D paint.
What do you think?
Honestly, don't be nice, be honest. Because I've just agreed to run the bookshop at church and I would like to make a bunch of cards to sell in it in aid of our youth holiday club which we run and I don't want to make them if everyone is going to secretly think, 'What a load of rubbish'.
I will of course still inflict them on friends and family but may not scare the general populace.


This one recycles a pretty spotty pink envelope I received a birthday card in and some white card recycled from something else.


I love the vintage papers that came free with the magazine. Very Cath Kidstonesque (please excuse the mess in the background. This is part of the whole Kezzie card-making experience.)

I love love love bunting! It seems to be everywhere what with Royal Wedding fever. I may just buy some material and make myself a large set of pretty floral bunting. I recycled the little spotty bit of card down the bottom and the chiffon ribbon came from a clothing label.

A weird experiment, this one made use of my lovely Matha Stewart punch edgers and the gold squares are punched from some cracker exteriors! I love reusing crackers!

More of the spotty envelope. Terrible lighting but it's actually a really pretty shade of lilac with peach coloured flower with the edges inked in pink. I extended the idea explained below by cutting 8 smaller-sized scalloped circles and layering them on top of the larger ones.

This was my sister's birthday card which was the first one I made of the batch. The idea for the flower in the centre came in the magazine, though they used patterned papers and it was basically made by cutting 8 circles with scalloped edges and folding them into quarters and overlapping them etc. More of the spotty envelope and the silver butterflies were made from a silver birthday card envelope.

Have a nice evening! I've had a lovely first full day in Northumberland including visiting a lovely craft fair at Hexham race courses! Managed to purchase a set of lovely vintage buttons to make necklaces out of and also a 1930's nightdress in an antique shop for part of my Maria costume! I will post when batteries and camera are located!