Scrap card

Mothers day always sends me into a last minute panic each year!!! I always leave it to the last minute to make a card.  Buying one is not an option- I have to make it- Mum comes to expect it now!  So there I was on Saturday morning with a white card and some offcuts of yellow card from some lettering I had been making at school.  Oh and a purple envelope from my birthday.  Did I forget to mention she also likes recycling?

Take one guillotine, a Martha Stewart edge punch,  a daisy punch and a silver gel pen and voila we have:


Not the most amazing card ever but I like its 3D lacy, frilly quality!

Linking to Claire Justine's Creative Mondays



Since this was a Saturday afternoon frantic make, I headed over to her house on Sunday afternoon to take this, a bunch of flowers, a large Milkybar and some pink iced cakes.  It was nice to see her and go over there!  At church in the morning, like my old church, darling posies of tiny flowers and foliage were shared with all the ladies.  There were extras so I grabbed three extra posies for the ladies who live in the three houses in my little row of houses! Pity only one was in!  I've left the other on doorsteps but hope that they come home in time!

Whatever comfort

Tuesday was an anxious time for me as my Grandad had gone into hospital.  CBC and I went to see him on Tuesday night where he was in the EAU (Emergency Assessment Unit).  It was a frightening experience- he looked so tiny and fragile - a machine was bleeping all the time and seemed to go into panic-mode every so often.  We were told his blood pressure was abnormally low, so low in fact that that they couldn't get a reading when they first went to him.  As we arrived, his canula had come out of his arm and there was blood all over the sheets.  His speech was slurred and he seemed very disorientated and very tired. he was very dehydrated and didn't seem to be producing much urine via the catheter (infection) despite the fact he'd had 7 litres of water pumped into him.  The doctors aren't and weren't sure what it is that has been making him sick when he eats.  CBC hates hospitals and felt really faint.  I felt really miserable, panicky and despairing, restless and frustrated..  I wanted to DO something but I couldn't. I wanted to walk but couldn't, I wanted to say something but couldn't think what to say. The despair and misery I felt was horrible. As we went home in the car, I was wracked with a sense of hopelessness.   As we drove, I knew there was only one thing I could do in that situation. To pray- to pray for wisdom, for time to spend with him, for health for my Grandad for the Doctors and for the peace which passes understanding to calm my fearful heart.  And then, like a whisper of a Mother issuing comforting words to a young child, I felt the Lord comfort and calm me.  It was a gradual process but he's been with me.  I don't pretend that the misery and despair I felt was anything like suffering that other people encounter, but Jesus has been where I am, where we are- in pain and misery and despair.  When helpless and in a situation we can't control, it helps us to rely and trust in him more.  I lose NOTHING by chosing to trust in him. I really don't. But I might gain a lot!

It was appropriate today that a church, the sermon was on comfort (2 Corinthians 1).
We need comfort because of suffering, whatever that may be.  We watched a short video, a testimony on Youtube of a mother in the USA whose husband, after kissing his 2 children goodbye on their way to school and telling them he loved them, went out and shot 5 children in a school.  What good could come out of that?   For her, that mother, her despair was complete- her life was devastated- the world was looking to her for answers, her husband had killed these children and what could she do?  She thought it incomprehensible that someone could do that- kiss their children goodbye and then do that.  Her life was shattered, her children's lives were in moments to be shattered.  She couldn't do anything!  But then her eyes lifted upwards and she remembered. But her prayer was this:
"Whatever redemption, whatever beautiful you can make out of this God:  DO it!"

And for me, this rings home as a real prayer for desperate times.  When there is nothing you can pray, where words fail, pray this: "Whatever beautiful can be made from this God? DO it!"

The Preacher said this:  God's comfort came out of the lies, the hate, the degradation, the humiliation, and horror of the empty tomb.  The comfort of the risen Christ came out of all that horror.  He's been where we've been and arisen.

And remember this too from the situation:  if we've been in a situation that needs this comfort, then it is our compassionate duty, our compassion which must cause us to act to help another person.  Share our experiences, be there, hold and comfort, do what we can even if we feel it's nothing.

Whilst I don't know what's going to happen with my Grandad, I can give my time and my love to him.  And what beauty is there in this situation? Well, we've been worried about him for ages- he's so stubborn.  But here, he's been taken care of where he wasn't managing alone, he has company during the day and a clean environment, perhaps this is the time he will finally accept help, realise his own frailty and we can help him create a better home environment.

Finally this to you, the reader- Can I pray for you in any way?  No matter how small or trivial, no matter if you don't believe, you lose nothing from sharing with me, I would be glad to share, to be of comfort, to say something, to do the little something I can.

xx

Something magical

As I bit into the peppers, a feeling of sweet joy hit my sense.
Surely, these were no ordinary peppers?
I skirted round the issue, tried some leeks in creme fraiche.
Took a bite out of the spinach and cheese pillow.
Once again, unsure of why, I returned to those peppers and tomatoes.
"These are so sweet," was the comment I relayed to my husband
He rejoined that they were the mixture of tomatoes, peppers and coriander.
Ah.
The magical word.
Coriander!
Oh how I love thee- let me count the ways!

Such a sweet, fragrant perfume that fills your mouth and tastebuds
So soft and subtle, yet exuding a power unlike any other.

Oh how I love thee Coriander, oh green and mighty stalks!



****

Do you feel the same way about coriander?

Big red flamingo

I always enjoy Style imitating art but I was a little stumped when I saw that Jen had chosen the bright red Flamingo Sculpture outside the Federal Plaza in Chicago. It was constructed in 1974 and created by American artist, Alexander Calder.

I admit that all week, I was thinking, Red and grey, er- red and black- but that's too obvious!?! Can I not be cleverer with this?  Apparently, it seems not!  Of course, I thought of a better idea afterwards, rather than when it was due!   (But that would have involved ironing and fixing a suspender from a skirt so we don't want any of that hassle do we?!)

I don't think I resemble the sculpture and this is one very boring outfit, nor does the sculpture resemble a flamingo- One looks like a large kiddie slide and the other, a rather messy kiddie!

This is what I wore to Swing dancing on Monday.  Originally, I was going to change into red shorts (shorts are popular for Swingdance at this place) but after freeeeeezing after the walk from Southend station to the Kursaal, I stayed in the trousers.

After taking this boring shot to show the outfit, I attempted to jump so the sleeves would flutter, bird-style (see what I did there?) but honestly, could I get the shot right? NO!  I can catch Singing in the rain jumps with a self-timer but a simple sleeves up like wings- NOPE! Muppet-resemblance- yes, but sleeves- no!

----

A very satisfactory day at school.  My year 5's were finishing their unit of work on Sailors, the sea and rivers and culminating in creating a whole class performance of their 'A journey along a river' piece, loosely based on Smetana's Vlatava.   I took advantage of teaching them about Rondo Structure/Form (a piece where the first tune keeps coming back with new different tunes in between, each time) and made them turn their piece into a Rondo with a shortened version (the first time it's the build up of the river from the source) of their River theme constantly returning after each group had played their 'place/sight' along the river.  Their pieces ended up being almost 10 minutes long and they were proud of achievement as was I.  On the whole, this term has been a GREAT one for Year 5's music.  There's a certain group of quite shy/quiet boys in one class who have always struggled a bit, with playing and group work and they have just SHONE and grown with confidence this term which is a delight to behold!

If you are in the habit of praying though, please can you pray for my Grandad.  He's really not well and is now in hospital and is very confused- for the first time in his life I think.

Hugs to y'all
x

A patchwork of buildings

That's the only way I can describe London!  There are some amazing architectural feats but they are so diverse! I find myself startled as I look at the different buildings that seem to coexist merrily in London. If you ever get to visit, I must recommend the boat trips along the Thames as you get to see a real gamut of different buildings in a short space of time.

Here are some of these that interested me as I made my journey along.  Hope you enjoy them too!



is not falling down!


I spy with my little eye, something beginning with S P C!


Now a bar, but this is where Samuel Pepys observed the great fire of London some 350 years prior!  MUST read his diary some day.  I have it somewhere!


I found this mirrored building fascinating- what interesting architecture.  Looks a bit like lego!



Tower Bridge is so iconic!

I really liked this shot because it has SUCH a contrast in structures.  The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, The Guerkin, the Willis Insurance Building and er-?


and then some ugly grey hotel!


Although, see it in its entirety and it's a really interesting shape!


I could not do these buildings justice as we only passed them briefly but all of a sudden a whole stream of green glassed buildings arose and it was like we'd passed the Emerald City!


The Metropolitan Police Boat


I have no idea what these are but they are SO distinctive.  I wonder what it feels like to live there?


The Docklands Big Boys! Canary Wharf, Citi-Bank, the HSBC tower...


The curious shaped flats- wonder what your ceiling/wall is like in the ones on the far right?!?!!


The home of the Greater London Assembly, affectionately known as the Bee Hive.


HMS Belfast, the last War ship.  Not strictly speaking a building but pretty impressive!


Southwark Cathedral.


The curious cube with a chunk missing!


The Shard looms overhead and a curvy structure, name unknown


Shakespeare's Globe reconstructed looks curiously humble amidst the flashy bright buildings.


The Tate Modern with its iconic tower/chimney?


I'm not sure what the wonky building in the background is but it's certainly unusual!


The Purcell Room and the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Royal Festival Hall try to look less ugly by adding a boat on top but fail to dazzle!  I've performed at both of these.


And at the Royal Festival Hall. Nasty building though!


Cleopatra's needle


The London Aquarium with its neo-classical feel


Combine it with the London Eye and Westminster Bridge


St Thomas' Hospital

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament featured in my last Scavenger Hunt (and some more building pictures)
BONG BONG BONG

Hope you've enjoyed your journey along the Thames.  Sorry about the lack of information!

KePOW!

Better late than never!  I'm joining in with Inspiration Monday with the Two Birds


I was struck by how nice and crisp the shirt was and the funky rainbow shoes as well as the fluffy cardie and big necklace! Not so fussed by the jeans but since I don't have any, well, there's no fussing about that one!


I was really hoping for this gorgeous white cotton shirt with rainbow hearts on it from White Stuff and my Dad and Step Mum bought it for me for my birthday!  I saw them on Saturday so it was great to get it!  I also received a Joseph Joseph washing up caddy- I love it- it has a towel-rail for your cloth (and there's nothing I dislike more than a smelly damp cloth!) so it dries out and a little platform for the sponge as well as space for the liquid and brush!  CBC bought one for his old housemate who is a Joseph Joseph officiado and whenever I vehemently admired it and advocated the introduction of such an item to our kitchen.  CBC said it was a stupid idea (er-???? It was you who introduced me to it first!) and so when my Dad asked if there was anything I might like for my birthday, I mentioned that I was an admirer but that my husband might not be but luckily my Dad thought it was worth the risk!!!

The cardie was a gift from my dear flute friend Ellie!  She's moving house after living in the same house for 39  years!! Their house is huge (5-6 bedrooms?!?!) and they are moving to a smaller home and are drastically getting rid of things so she sent me a huge parcel of clothes!  A lot of is too big but there are one or two really nice blouses and cardies and a great knitted handmade dress.  Lots of lovely velvety jeans that I'd love but size 14 so going to see if my work colleague would like them! How thoughtful of her to send them to me! And it means I can share the love!

I couldn't seem to find any low hanging necklaces except this man's necklace I bought ages ago!! It does make me laugh though!! Finally, I don't have rainbow sky-scraper shoes but I DO have some pretty loud-looking Irregular Choice Trinkletinas!


I've been busy all weekend so I am a bit behind here! Saturday, as previously mentioned, I went over to my Dad's house.  I was attending a course in the Croydon-area on Sunday and physically couldn't get there in time for 9.15 on the train from mine so went from my Dad's (and got there in 40mins).  It was so nice to see them!  My stepmum cooked a super lunch as always and I had some time to spend with them which was lovely!  They are both full of knowledge so it's always a good time to ask for advice on things.  I shared my little sister's bed as their spare room is chaos at the moment. It's always really fun as we get to chat like sisters should before going to bed- I've not had so much of this time with her as we obviously grew up in different houses and there's a 10 year age gap between us (not a mental age gap!).

Getting up at 6.50 on a Sunday-morning was NOT welcome! However, it was totally worth it.  I went to a taster day on Dalcroze Eurhythmics for school and it was amazing!!! Honestly, we had SUCH a good time!
It blew my mind and I am seriously tempted to enroll on the 2-year certification course of it! If only it didn't cost thousands of pounds!  I tried out some of the ideas I learned with my reception classes on ear-training and listening and feeling the music through your body and they reacted SO well to it!  Dalcroze is a method of teaching and experiencing every musical concept through movement of the body- all of it! It comprises three areas- Rhythmics, Improvisation and Ear-training/Aural.  Click on the link above to find out more!

I kept my little ones really active in their lessons this week.  Aside from one of our singing games, we learnt Skip to my Lou which had them huffing and puffing like trains and all sweaty!  Nothing like making them work hard!!!  My year 6's had their first exposure to Avant-garde singing and it was HILARIOUS watching their faces as they thought ," What on earth is this??!?!?!" Interesting discussion into "What do you consider to be music?" though!

Finally, we had a great evening swing dancing. We've been to this class 5 weeks on the trot now and it's great building up our repertoire. I can see CBC being more confident and I've enjoyed the steps and way they teach us though I am quite tired on a Tuesday morning at school though!!!

Linking to
and Claire Justine's Creative Mondays

 the Two Birds Inspiration Monday

True good

I found myself thinking about Lord Voldemort in the shower yesterday morning. I've been rereading the Harry Potter series recently, maybe not a good time for it at Lent but it formed my thoughts for my Pause for Advent.

Lord Voldemort is the ultimate baddie. He's power crazy and wants to set himself up as God, never dying, all powerful, his name is forbidden, you mustn't say it or you get caught and punished. He wants to destroy those who are against him.  He has those who are his fervent followers who like to think they are not afraid of him, but they are. Lucius Malloy, a great follower and believer of his makes mistakes and Lord Voldemort is angry and wants to punish him. He makes his son do an impossible task and wants him to fail, even though Lucius has begged for forgiveness. And it struck me, EVIL never forgives. It wants to crush and destroy and punish. All baddies want those who fail to suffer, never truly forgives or trusts them.

But TRUE GOOD always forgives. True good always offers another chance if the perpetrator truly wants another chance to be saved from their fate and punishment.  God, by sending his Son to die for the World, wanted him to succeed and wanted to and wants to offer us another chance. Even if the one who needs forgiving only truly wants forgiveness at the last moment. Even if, like Severus Shape, you only see the light near the end, He always offers it. Forgiveness is offered. Willingly and lovingly. Jesus willingly and lovingly dies on that Cross every year, waiting for that heart.


True good, True God, always forgives

Friday's come, let's have fun, it's the nation's favourite sports day!

Friday 21st March- Sports Relief day and all was quiet in the playground until an army of children turned up in a myriad shades of lurid vibrancy!  Shocking pinks, clothes on backwards, hand-drawn t-shirts, pyjamas, bright onesies, crazy wigs and psychedelic skirts.  And of course the usual stream of princess party dresses and spidermen.

I am always up for dressing up for any charity/special/auspicious day but today, because Crazy dress-up day coincided with the Official Opening of the School building (and the mayor coming- Orchestra and Samba Band playing, I though that there would be no time for me to change out of crazy clothing into something sensible (I was right- I was dashing around like a headless chicken all day until 5.30) so had to combine the two events into one.  Admittedly, I'd probably wear this anyway but decided to combine 4 different prints into one outfit.  The Greater Plains dress I was lured into buying by Char's flagrant posting of shopping links ;-) , was suitable as it has bikes (Sportsrelief?) and then I looked for derivative green items and added a headband, boots and cardie.  I did debate bright aqua tights too but decided that was too much otherwise I would have looked full-on leprechaun instead of half!  This could have been a St Patrick's day outfit too if I were Irish!


I have to say, I was SO proud of my kids today. The Samba-band were great and they set up and playing in the wind-tunnel that is the side of our school. We sported luminous scarves Rambo-style round our heads and played Tropic, a samba piece for a good 15 minutes.  They were hugely excited and pleased with themselves. I am so glad I started the drumming club two and a half years ago now as it's been a really successful club which attracts different children as well as the music-types (like myself at school, the ones who are in anything remotely musical that they can be in!).  There's one boy in it was that was a right pain in music before he started drumming club and he's really started to take a sense of pride in his musical abilities and makes sensitive decisions when creating music as well as performing now! He's more confident as well whereas before, a lot of his actions were bravado I think! The orchestra were brilliant as well!! They played the best that they have played and I was so happy with them! They were proud of themselves too and there were a lot of proud parents out there too. Performances really bring out that sense of joy and community! I am so lucky as a music teacher to get that 'final product' that many people can all enjoy and take part in, in one fell-swoop and I thank God that he gave me this job in this place, with events conspiring to lead me to my current position! I take too much for granted! Thank God for so many things!

xxx

Joy

I haven't joined in with Five Minute Friday for ages.  I think because I can't seem to follow it via Blogger GFC.


"You shall go out with joy
And be led forth in peace
and the rivers and the hill will break forth before you
There'll be shouts of joy and the trees of the fields
shall clap, shall clap their hands.
And the trees of the fields shall clap their hands
And the trees of the fields shall clap their hands
And the trees of the fields shall clap their hands
As you go out in joy"

As a myriad thoughts burst forth from me in response to the prompt, this song was prime in my mind.  This very Jewish-sounding song is one we sing at the end of our KS2 Christmas church nativity every year and we all love it.  I think it's based on a psalm but 5 minutes wont allow me to search!

Aside from being a mighty fine tune, it resonates with me so much because when I sing it, I am prompted by a great source of joy for me.  When I am alone, unhampered by luggage, just walking in God's creation, I find the joy burbling forth from me like a stream.  I giggle with delight in my mind as I regard something so simple at first glance yet extraordinary when you look at it more closely!  God made each thing so beautifully. A breath of wind, across your face- wasn't so joyful when it made my skirt swoop up as I ran across a crowded playground (though it was slightly amusing!) but as part of a welcome break, it is a source of joy.  The delight in playing an amazing piece of music.  The joy of appreciating someone else's gift, appreciation of an amazing sermon, being in a wonderful place with wonderful people..  Sometimes joy isn't soo forthcoming as these situations, but it is always there, if you look more closely (and put that luggage down).

STOP.
Five minutes is over.

A hat with a difference!

I was on Portabello road last weekend and I had the good enough fortune to see the most exquisite millinery range by Sara Colacicco called Sara Tiara.  I gasped in delight when I saw this wonderful selection of unique hats on her stall.  Full of beautiful heritage materials, I wouldn't be surprised if the Duchess of Cambridge sports her designs. Sara said I could take some pictures for my blog (she was really nice!). 










These are all so beautiful and unique.  I really fancied the red tartan one & the Champagne-coloured one with the roses in the first picture.  So so pretty!!! 

I had a look at her website and saw these two which I really loved:

http://www.saratiara.com/pink-rose-1920s-brim-hat-band.html 

http://www.saratiara.com/harris-tweed-hat-band-with-vintage-ostrich-feather.html

If you're going to a wedding or perhaps the races this year and want some millinery that is a little bit special, to make you stand out, then I really recommend Sara Tiara.  They are so unusual and beautiful plus I love the fact they are made from recycled fabrics and fittings.  

Catch up and help please!

Hey!!! How are you?  I am fine!  The  concert at the Albert Hall went really well (with one or two interesting moments) - BUT we didn't get back to school until 11.50pm! Yep, me, my Mum, another teacher and 27 very tired children at midnight at school.  We didn't get rid of the last one until midnight- we met her parents at the train station as they were on their way back from the Royal Albert Hall.  I got home at about 00:40am, having paid for a taxi from the station (a luxury!) and fell asleep on the floor after going up before CBC woke and demanded I get into bed!  Wednesday was hard at school- I was exhausted and had SUCH a headache, the type that makes you feel sick.  Finally got rid of choir at 4.40pm and had to go and lie down on the music room floor before I could attempt to get home!  

Before, I ask anything else, please please please can anyone tell me how to unfollow a blog.  Some AWFUL pornagraphic blog has shown up in my reading list and I have no idea how!!!!! Luckily I can't see any pictures but the words I can see are enough!  I've googled to find out how to get rid of a followed blog but haven't found anything except where it tells you to go to the site and click on Googlefriend connect and I really don't want to click on the link and go to the site!  I keep wondering how it's happened and when, as all these posts from it have shown up in my list tonight. Urgh!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, away from all that unpleasantness, tomorrow, our school orchestra are playing for the Mayor(ess) of our local borough who is coming to open our new building.  Tis pretty exciting! The samba band are playing as guests arrive too.  I am looking forward to it but not looking forward to hyper kids who are dressed up for Sports Relief day.   This weekend is going to be busy as I am on a course in Croydon!  Yay but slight boo-hiss as I could do with a day off!

xx

The love of fine books- 2nd hand finds!

As you read this, I shall be merrily singing at the Royal Albert Hall in London with 29 of my children!  Please pray for me that no accident befalls us, everyone behaves, all parents turn up on time to fetch them from school at 11am and I manage to get some sleep and wake up the next morning!

CBC and I went into a different local town on Saturday so he could get his hair cut.  I went for my usual trundle of the charity shops whilst he was there.  In the St Francis Hospice shop, which always comes up trumps, I did find a really nice black and silver halterneck 50's-style dress but somehow decided to resist more dresses.  Instead, I headed over to the books and found a great set of children's books!  Firstly, I really enjoyed reading the Swallows and Amazons book a couple of years ago, which one of my children in my classes loaned to me so I was pleased to find 2 more in Arthur Ransome's series.  I might see if she (the pupil) wants to borrow them after me, she still picks up her younger siblings.
Next, I found 2 hard back Enid Blyton books. I've never read the Scarecrow book so that was a great surprise.  Mr Twiddle stories used to really make me laugh as a little girl, so I was pleased to find these.
The best of the lot was this set of 10 classic children's books for £6.  All of these are all great books and I haven't read a few of them so I was really happy to find these.  All of the above, I really want to give to my little 3 year old niece.  Why wont she hurry up and get to an age where she can read these?!?!! I really hope she will become a voracious reader of the books too- it's so important!  We have Achievement Assembly on Fridays at school, in which someone who has done excellent work comes up and shows it and reads it if it is literacy-based work.  This previous Friday, a gorgeous little year 2 boy came and read his work.  Honestly, it was exquisite! It could have been written by Michael Morpurgo, it was so well written! And I hear, that he's been a voracious reader since he was really young- he's already reading Year 6 + books in year 2.  He's titchy but really mature! I'm not surprised his writing is so sophisticated! I wish that all children could enjoy books in the way I do and the way this child does (and many of you), it's such an integral part of my life and gives me so much pleasure! I thank God that he has given me the skill, opportunity and love of reading and books.

I also found these three fun corsage pins which will make great additions to berets and beanies to jazz them up a bit!

Have you been exploring the chazzers recently? (Vix venacular lingo!) I'd love to see what you found!

xx

The sun has got his hat on. Hip hip hip hooray!

Happy Monday to you, near and far!!!
I am happy that it is Monday- I like them- they're a good day. And it's amazing how perspectives change, based on circumstances and people.  Last year at school, I used to DREAD Mondays!!! We had a dreadful set of Year 6 children.  On their own, each of them was likable and had good qualities and you would enjoy speaking to them or helping them. BUT, the collective was SUCH a bad mix! They egged each other on and really wanted to be the comedian, to the detriment of their work.  In 2 words, they were HARD. WORK.  It took so long to get them settled and then they were always messing around as soon as they got a moment. In music, a lot is dependent on self-discipline, which was something many lacked.  They were always a tiny bit difficult but they got progressively worse the higher up they got. There were some lovely kids in there who WERE self-motivated and hard-workers and I felt for them on many occasions  I miss those.    But I don't miss the collective.  This year's lot, once upon a time in Year 1, were the classes I DREADED the most.  They were so annoying and bickery but somehow, they've matured and each and everyone of them seems to really enjoy and get on well in music.  They are INTERESTED in what I teach them and want to know more, they are self-motivated and you can have a joke with them and know it makes them enjoy the lesson more but they won't take it too far.  Indeed, I was observed teaching one of these classes last term and one of the positives she cited was the humorous rapport I had with them (incidently, I did get a 1!!!).  So alot can change in a year!  Tomorrow, they are starting a unit of work about 'The Market and the Shrove tide fair' with a focus on street cries and then Petrouska.  I love this unit and hope they enjoy it too!

I like my reception classes too and then we have swing dancing in the evening, so I am looking forward to Monday all the more!

Monday is also incidently, Inspiration Monday with the Twobirds.  We were treated to this sweet outfit worn by a girlfriend of Jake Gyllenhal (not exactly sure who he is either but I don't have TV or go to films much!).  I'm not really a fan of leather jackets (on me) but I do like floral dresses and boots. So here's my take on it.



The dress is from Mango via ASOS, jacket is New Look, necklace- Blogswap gift from Helen at Positive Fridays, Boots- Ralph Lauren via TK Maxx. The brightness has totally washed out the true colours- the jacket and dress are much darker than they appear.
Of course, I had to add a hat! It's sunny and bright and thus the straw hats want to come out to play! Believe it or not, this hat is the ONLY non-food/drink, travel, accommodation sightseeing purchase I made during my 16 day honeymoon!!! I found it in C&A in Visp for 5 euros whilst waiting for a train and since mine had gone decidedly floppy and lank after being caught in the rain, I decided to splurge!

FYI, don't think I've ever worn knee-high boots with bare legs before.  It felt quite weird but I quite liked it!

After church today (Sunday), I headed over to CBC's old housemate's house and he drove us to Finchingfield to meet CBC who had cycled there (a long way!) at the Blue Egg, a really nice cafe/restaurant there. They do amazing quiches, cake and lunches and everything is homemade!!!  I had a very nice slice of Vegetarian quiche with red coleslaw and salad and a slice of lemon drizzle. It was SO windy outside that the salad leaves were flying away!  Right by where we were sitting was fern with all these little birds in (chaffinches???) chirruping away and swooping down to catch flying crumbs.  They were very plump so have obviously found a good location to live.  On the return journey, CBC and his bike snuck into the car and we made our way home.  Back there, we went to investigate the table parasol for our patio table and I got a horrid shock when the most enormous black and yellow spider crawled out- it was enormous!!! CBC, who took the outfit shots above for me after Spider-Gate asked if he could take the shots at that point when I was squealing and shaking the umbrella, trying to persuade the big arachnid to nick off into the lawn!

Finally, we sat down and drank Lady Grey tea whilst eating a fairy cake (Alex- proper name, I remember!) each from the Guides at church! I read a little Harry Potter whilst enjoying the combination of tea, cake and sunshine. Just as I sat down, a very noisy Chaffinch entered the garden and began a very merry and long song!
Hope your Sunday was enjoyable too!

xx

Linking to
What I wore to church, Sunday with Carolyn
and Inspiration Monday with the Two Birds