Raspberry collecting

 

Hello there.
The raspberries are ripening in the garden and I have enjoyed the most gorgeous afternoon.  I spent it on a course at stately home, Valentines Mansion.   I have a real affection for this place as I completed the local history project of my GCSE History on this place and it is such a delight to see it restored to its former glory.  The course was an introduction to a project run by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields on Music and gardens.  It seems a wonderful project you can do linking music and the environment and introducing children to graphic scores and the wonders of listening intently. It was such a pleasure to have a course (usually in a hot sweaty meeting room) in a Georgian Mansion!  Beats ICT with Year 5! 

After the course finished, I went and had a potter around on my own (and managed to sneak a picture in this raspberry coloured bedroom)

 I left the mansion...

 to relocate to the walled garden tearooms (4.30) where I sat blissfully reading for an hour, drinking tea in this beautiful environment.

 Vix said something today about staying healthy if you get lots of fresh air and exercise and I really felt this today.  I felt so free and refreshed as we wandered the gardens and grounds looking for musical stimuli.

It was also a day of seeing people I know.  A girl on the course was in my orchestra about 15 years ago.  The education manager who explained the project was an old colleague from my administrator days who I hadn't seen for 6 years, I saw a fellow recorder player as I walked to the station, I saw our much missed Postoffice master and his wife on the bus who had suddenly retired last year and I hadn't got to say goodbye. Finally, I saw an old friend from church from when I was young.  Funny the way that sometimes happens.

How was your day?  Tell me something beautiful about your day!  Anything you wish!

Chasing rainbows

Hello!  Firstly, thank you to Hazel and Lisa, who explained how to add the Followers side bar!  It STILL took me about 40 minutes to get it up there (I am THAT thick!  It always surprises me how much people ask me about ICT stuff at school, I am hopeless at home!), I didn't realise that it had gone there and I fiddled for ages!  Somehow, I have also changed template!  Ah well! It looks ok!
And now I can display my lovely 40 followers (yay, I reached 40 at the weekend!  Who are you number 40? I can't tell!  Reveal yourself! )  I thought about doing a little giveaway if I ever reached 40 followers but didn't want to tell about this possibility so I could know that my 40 people wanted to be here and I had earned them, not just tempted by the prospect of free goodies!  My little blog appreciates its ruby wedding anniversary's worth of lovely followers- thank you!  So, I will sort this soon!

I was going to post about Herefordshire but tonight I just couldn't face wading through the ahem- 400 photos I took! So instead, I am sharing with you again, my favourite vintage/thrifted purchase of the post-shopping ban (remember that?  Seems so long ago!)  The rainbow skirt!  Here I attempt to give it another remix! I love this vintage M&S dress so so much!  And even better, a pensioner stopped me on the way to school today to say how pretty he thought my skirt was!  That compliment means so much more to me than a 100 laddish wolf-whistles (luckily doesnt happen to me often! UGRH, can't stand it!)



 Here is the rundown:
Vintage M&S dress:  PDSA
Navy sailor top:  H by Henry Holland
Bow belt: Primark
Rainbow espadrille wedges:  Dolcis

 You can't really see the accessories in the picture so I decided to do a Lauren at Someone like you and hang them on my fig tree!  Balloon earrings:  Tu at Sainsbury's (Christmas gift)

 Starry headband:  Claire's accessories.

I was going to show my shoes but my feet look minging!   I rarely wear these shoes and yet I love them!  I always associate clothing with times in my life and I remember buying these in Manchester on the weekend I broke up with my ex-boyfriend (like 9 years ago! They're mega old!) It's nice to have rainbows at miserable times!

 Here was my dinner tonight!!!! You can't see it all underneath but there are radishes, lettuces, rocket, cherry tomatoes, radishes, tuna, crispy onion, cocktail onions, sweetcorn. I love the salads of the summer- I feel fresh and breezy!

 And the first batch of garden-grown raspberries! (I'm pretty sure I ate some some small green insects too! Extra protein ya?)

And specially for Tasha and other cloud-lovers, LOOK, THERE'S A MALOVOLENT CLOUD MONSTER LURKING ABOVE!!!! It's got eyes and everything!!!!!

I wonder as I wander out under the sky...*

I was put in mind of these lyrics* as I wandered my garden, lost in thought as to the beauty of the summer garden.  I was lost in thought and seeing these shots that I left my camera to take as I wandered, they seem really ethereal with the washed out pale shots and the elf-green flowing skirt.  I also seem to be having an audition for the Ballet Rambert or some other contemporary dance company!

"Welcome!"
At the weekend, I am off to a lovely village, not too far from Hay on Wye, the other side of the Black mountains to play in a ruined abbey. Last time I went to play this particular concert was around 6 years ago and I remember it being a very beautiful, gentle experience that filled me with joy at the music and the tranquillity of the countryside. That particular experience fits in with the lyrics!

FYI:
Hat: 1969 purchase by Mum
Skirt:  gift from Dad and Stepmum
Top:  Newlook via Charity shop
Belt: Primark.

Comes from the most beautiful carol.  I played in an arrangement by Lucio Berio of this

I wonder as I wander out under the sky

How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.

Lyrics from:
http://www.oldielyrics.com/christmas/i_wonder_as_i_wander.html

You can listen to it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyR4hnRWMUE&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLD2FE131D6CA48018  
It's beautiful!

A floral bouquet!

Is there are certain type of clothing that you conform to?  I've been a floral fan for as long as I can remember!  I just love wearing florals, they represent the girly-feminine girl that I have always been! 
I was looking on my computer and I found all these photos that I'd not done anything with and thought I'd create a floral bouquet with!  Which look do you think suits best? Which one would you choose if any?

I've just been doing lots of prep, so I can't be as eloquent as I'd liked, but thought I'd leave a little offering for you.

I'd like to know- what is a ubiquitous you outfit?  What do you always gravitate towards?

The "I can't believe I am wearing a wool hat, skirt and shoes in June" edition!

 Howdy!  Thank you for your recent kind comments and visits!  Such nice things!!  How was your day?  Was it everything you expected?! Mine was pretty good on the whole despite feeling like a right puppet in front of a PGCE music student!
I wore this to school today and quite simply it's hilarious that we are in June!  Literally, most of what I am wearing is winter-wear!  Its absolutely crazy to be wearing wool and thick tights at this time of the year (mind you WHAT was I thinking with such a summery top!  I froze ALL day!).   God has a sense of humour regarding the weather! Come on, let us have some sun!

FYI I am wearing:
Thrifted George new Bird-print top
Belt- Peacocks
Thrifted Kew wool skirt
Thrifted wool hat with Nessie wool tartan brooch
Mini-magic woof wool Irregular Choice shoes
Crocheted rose bracelet  - made by Mummy!
Batik wooden bead bracelet- market in Bali.
Peace bird necklace - gift
Red tights- Tescos
Vintage kissing children earrings

I get ludicrously excited when I see anything bird print in a Charity shop so I was really happy to find this top which was brand-new!  Hurrah!  There's something so timeless and cheery about bird-print!

 I was really happy today at school- I love little joys!   I have the younger children this half-term and Tuesday is the day I have nursery am and pm.  There's always some children who don't join in especially one who I nicknamed Grumpy (not to his face!) because he used to sit there with the most sneering look (it had to be seen to be believed!) on his face refusing to join in with anything at all, not even TOUCHING an instrument and would scream if told to join in (which I found bizarre since even the most reticent child in singing terms loves to play an instrument).  Anyway, Grumpy, today in music was a total saint.  He sang everything, played the part of a crow in 'One of me dumplin's gone' he properly joined in with dancing to a calypso, happily played calypso rhythms on maracas, happily took on lead roles in a counting song. It was amazing!   I praised him constantly, not even as future encouragement or as positive reinforcement when you want to help reticent ones but because he was genuinely amazing!  Apparently, he came in yesterday to nursery and said, "I'm not going to cry anymore because I am a big boy now," and he has followed true on his words.  It's amazing to see their development and progress!  It was actually great fun as because of the Olympics, each year has a country/region to study so they are looking at the Caribbean hence my theme!

 My year 2 lessons were interesting but of course, the PGCE student just HAD to come and see me in the class where the children were being a little hyper and found it much harder to focus (last lesson!) rather than the one that went brilliantly!  I think I teach a lesson better first time than second. Anyway, I'd love to know what she was thinking!

I hope that you are having a lovely day! Ciao bella!

Ponderings, a Mohican, a card, a vintage skirt question! Take your pick!

I have a question! 
I was watching Have I got news for you?  just now and someone was asking if anyone had any button anecdotes.  Do you?  I'd love to hear them!
Apparently, it's really hard to get rid of your grandmother's button collection.
I also have another one!
I was just typing up my 400+ comments for all the school's music reports.  And if any of you are parents, how closely do you read and take note of subjects like music, art, geography.  Really I am intrigued to know.  What do you think of reports?  Which bits do you pay closest attention to?  What would you most like to read.  And if you aren't a parent, what's your opinion?

I have a third question:
I am going to karaoke tomorrow and I might have to sing. What would you sing?  I'm thinking of doing a silly mock-Shirley Bassey Diamonds are forever if I HAVE to choose something (cringe!) but I feel silly!

My swap-parcels are sorted so I don't have to stress anymore about those- just school stuff!!  I  am having a lovely time at my sister's this evening despite having to sit and type reports!  
We've just eaten a life-time supply modest amount of  of Chinese and we may make cards as we've BOTH forgotten about a certain family member's birthday!  She thought it was the 8th, I thought the 7th but apparently it's the 4th!  Oops!

 I bought this cute skirt in the charity shop the other day for £2.  I'm presuming it is vintage because of 2 facts:
1) the Windsmoor label looks old
2)  It's a size 10  but I can barely breathe it fits my waist so snuggly so it feels like a size 6 feels on me!
Could you hazard a guess for me on how old it might be? 

 I teamed it with yellow licorice allsorts earrings (no picture) tied my Cath Kidston necklace in a knot

 Oh and my lovely Mummy came over yesterday and taught me how to use a lawn-mower.  She didn't quite trust me to do anything more than do more than mow a little patch.  She said she wanted to get on with it but I know it's because she wanted to cut the grass into a Mohican!  Loook!!!

 I made a card (and MANY other things which have taken 3 days to do for swaps- ahgrh!) late in the evening- this took 5 minutes!  The obligatory recycled element is the rainbow background- an old tissue box!

 And here's something else I was going to make...

How was your day!?

50's and 70's girl!

Yesterday was an extraordinary day!  To celebrate the jubilee, my school hosted a special picnic day.  It has been long in the planning.  I was a member of the committee, but the hard work was down to my deputy head teacher who was simply fantastic!

Each year group was given a decade to study and learn about, encompassing all those in the Queen's reign (50's to 2010's!) over this half term.  This included study of the technology, clothing, music, key events etc, culminating in today's special assemblies presenting their work.  But first, the picnic.  Therefore the dress code was YOUR decade of study OR red, white and blue.  Technically, I was in Reception and Year 2 who were studying present day and the 90's respecitively.  But I am mostly in Year 4 (70's) and my heart in the 70's! 

We had a special jubilee breakfast organised by the breakfast club- so it was hilarious to see all the different outfits whilst we sat and ate croissants and red and blue fruits.  There were some amazing Union Jack maxi dresses, some 80's neon affairs, several 70's dresses (my floppy hats were worn by both year 4 teachers!), a wonderful 60's mini-dress, 50's capris, our head in a demure 50's outfit, and the best, a dinner lady who was Brittania!

The children had made a wonderful effort with sprayed hair, accessories, and those who had gone for decades were astounding!  One girl in year 6 was wearing an almost identical oufit to mine with the colours in reverse which were Mum had made and she had designed and chosen.  A whole plethora of 60's hippies dashed around the playground, several masssive afros alla Jackson 5 wandered around and many many Union flags were crafted into amazing outfits!

 I decided to go 50's in the morning and went in my Vivien of Holloway vintage-inspired rockabilly dress and petticoat.  I accessorised with a hand-me down cardie, used a Vivien cherry brooch attached to a polka-dot headband vintage and thrifted pearl necklace, earrings and sunglasses!  This dress always makes me feel special!  It was also an experience walking to school in it!  I got lots of looks!

 The morning was spent looking after Reception who were dashing around playing whilst mass-face-painting occured, each class had a slot on the bouncy castle.which I helped to supervise whilst getting them to sing "Jubileeeeee, Jubileee, jubileee, jubilee for the queen..." to the tune of "Ingerland" (that annoying football song).  I dashed off for a practice with my samba band!

Lunchtime, the dinner providers had excelled themselves with a wonderful picnic for the children of Coronation chicken rolls, cheesy pinwheels, chips in a cone, salad bag and then an ice-cream for all.  It was kind of exhausting but the happiness of the children was evident!  As a 40's sounding hit came onto the music system (a professional outfit was hired), I taught 2 girls some basic lindy-hop and one of them really got it and followed my lead!

As all the children gathered in the playground for a disco, one or two of us sloped off for 5 minutes sit down and to eat our lunch!  To play with my samba band, I changed into outfit 2, my Mum's 70's home-made kaftan (it took years of persuading for her to part with it. She's got an even nicer one which she's still holding strong on.  Give me time...), worn with ASOS Sienna gladiator sandals, Monsoon feather earrings, Dream catcher necklace (gift) and thrifted purple, felt hat!
I felt SOOOOOOO comfy wandering the playground in it! (and walking home, despite the looks which I frankly didn't care about!)  The samba band performed in between prize-awards which went amazingly and everyone was very impressed. I was really happy with them!

 Time had flown SO quickly and then we found ourselves going back in to get their things to go home, myself with year 4 now.  As various commemorative gifts were given out to the children, I sat and looked at around at the smiling faces!  This was community and we were all very pleased.

 I noticed one little girl's hat (Hmmmm, I don't have one like this and I'd like one!) plonked on top of the cupboard and remembered how she looked EXACTLY like me!  I have a picture of her and it's like looking at Mini Kezzie- big hat, turquoise flowing dress, and necklace.  The other kids were calling her Miss A ALL day!

Finally, to top it all off, they were given a special Jubilee cupcake! 

The day was amazing!  Did your work do anything special to celebrate it?