Today I was supposed to start reports...

Today, I was supposed to start reports! Instead, after a long-overdue visit to my dentist. I hadn't been for a year and a half and my nice dentist sent a kind enquiring letter! I received an 8am appointment! Luckily my teeth were in pretty good shape and I just had to have the edge of 2 fillings sealed and had a polish and descale with new pineapple -flavoured polish! Soooo much better than the egregious lemon-tasting predecessor!

Upon returning home, I was supposed to start reports. But CBC had to be woken and distracted me by looking at whatever happened to 'Saved by the bell' stars (MSN you are distractionmeisters!)

Subsequently, I was supposed to start reports. But then my mother reminded me she was coming round. CUE manic tidying hoovering, cleaning, polishing...

She arrived and once she was here to cut the grass, I was supposed to begin reports.
But she lured me into the garden after I asked her if she could help me plant my tomato plants that my Dad had bequeathed me.

It should have followed with, yep you've guessed it, reports, BUT somehow, the idea of decimating the malovolent ivy that was dominating the wall area above where I wanted to plant the tomatoes, creating a stifling canopy for my little tomato pals, suddenly seemed highly preferable.
So Kezzie + secateurs = DEATH to ivy insurgents!!!

Here is the fruit of my labour! Before it was forcibly exiled over to the burn area!

And here are my young preciouses! I took photos of flowery items but enough already.

When it began to rain, you'd think that I'd have started reports?

You'd have been wrong! We sat and ate peanut butter on toast, Cordon-bleu lemon verbena tea and panda rasberry licorice!

When dear Mummy departed, burdened by an extremely large bag full of my 'old' clothes to see if my sister wanted them, you might think I would have submitted to the r word?

I ended up tidying and cleaning more!!! For a long while! (to the tune of Deal or no deal, Home and away, and Neighbours)

Then CBC arrived back from Uni and we ended up chatting lots!

Then more tidying and cleaning! No reports!

Finally, after fishfingers and potato wedges, it was time to do the deed.

But it wasn't! Somehow, I ended up making cards! Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I tend to spend ages on one card and then recoup my time by making variations on a theme of the first card!

I was just about to chuck away a pretty paper bag, when I remembered an idea in a mag about ironing it onto a card and it leaving an imprint. It didn't work! But I liked the idea of sticking it down to the surface of the card and envelope as a simple hello card since I had already ironed it flat!!


Then I was inspired by an M&S bathing box which was covered with apples, to craft an apple inspired range of cards in order to recycle its prettiness! It involved the box, some base cards, some lovely red and white string bought in Northumberland, some buttons, gems and a pen!

One gem, some string and apple card! Where IS my doublesided tape!??? Buttons, string and cards!

The red card itself is reused as it was some scrap from a kids workshop I helped with at the Wigmore hall some years ago!

The purple flower range!

Told you I rework a theme!

This bunny card was originally intended for my friend Anne. The purple card (here and above)is from my pensions folder and the acetate from some packaging! Can you see those dastardly purple flowers?

Somehow, I find myself here at 22:53 and I STILL haven't started reports!!!! Ahrgh!!!!!!!!!!!

For want of something else to write....

I decided to wear my exam reward dress on Sunday! It's lovely and is really comfy. The only problem is, it was a windy day on Sunday! Full circle skirt + wind = ?
I didn't upload the next photo in the series where the wind attacked me!!!

My millenium falcon

Jen at Muuuuuuuuuuuummmmmm posted about an item she really wanted as a present as a child which she never got which she still has a secret yearning for! For her it was cherry red docmartens. For her brother it was a Star Wars Millenium Falcon It struck a chord with me because I remembered a similar item when I was young. Around aged 12-3, I really wanted a pair of rollerblades! My pal Lucy had some and I loved the idea of them! I asked me mum if I could have a pair for Christmas. Now, I have always been grateful for what my Mum bought me (or indeed anyone! Whatever it is! Even if it is not something I would like- I appreciate the thought, the effort, the care in choosing it, in giving me something, investing their time or resources), especially as she really had to struggle for money.

However, that Christmas, yearning for these rollerblades, 2 weeks or so before Christmas, a 2 boxes that could possibly have housed the rollerblades, the ideal size appeared in my house wrapped up. Anticipation grew. I was SURE that the much-longed-for present was inside....

Minutes became hours became days: Excitement and hope built....

Christmas day arrived. My Mum's presents were always the last ones we would open and we opened one present at a time, spread throughout the day.

Finally it got to the time where I opened one of the two 'correct-sized' boxes. Bated breath, I tore open the wrapping...

What was inside turned out to be a new padded guitar case to protect my guitar. A useful present yes, but a bitter disappointment to a 13-year old wanting rollerblades. I had to swallow my dismay and hope upon hope on that other parcel...

Soon after, it was time to open my final present- the box. It seemed smaller than I remembered, but still possible to yield the desired item. When I opened it, it turned out to be:

A Star-trek alarm-clock. I could have cried with the disappointment I felt but I had to hide the feeling. I remember feeling, "Yes I like watching Star-trek but I didn't want any items to do with it" (except maybe a cuddly tribble). The item was HIGHLY irritating. It said:
"The enterprise is under attack, wake up and DO something" Or the Klingon version of that: "Enterprise, Hivavu, evair, evair yiTAH!" It had a 3d version of the enterprise on it with a detachable disk that made a warp-drive noise when you pulled it off (held in by magnets) which stopped the alarm. The button controls were like meteors. It is long gone- it eventually died when I accidently dropped a Freeman's catalogue on it from the topbunk, but the memory lives on. I never did get those rollerblades but the desire to get some still remains. It's probably not a sensible idea to buy any now, too expensive in my massive footsize and no time to use them, but the liking of them remains.


Do you have a millenium falcon gift that you never received?

Books from the past week

Not had much time to read at the moment, so haven't got many books to post about except these two. Am currently reading 'The Message' which is going to take AGES to read. It may be a while before my next book post!

18. Noel Streatfield. Party shoes
I am a big fan of Noel Stratefield's books. I have read lots of them, and reviewed of mentioned them on this blog. She writes about children who love performing and I think I identified with them as a child and understand the world she is writing about to a certain extent. Party shoes is my latest find. Now, immediately, my first thought on seeing this boo was I WANT THAT DRESS!!!!!! It's such a beautiful white organdie dress with a pale blue sash! Vintage perfection! I was in a musical called 'Meet me in St Louis' (Judy Garland made a film of it) as a child and at the end, we went to the Lousiana Purchase exposition and we had to wear dresses reminiscent of this- the Judie Garland ones are wonderful examples. It also reminds me of Truly Scrumptious in Chitty chitty bang bang, who had the best dresses (and hair) ever!!! Do such dresses still exist?




Anyway, once I tore my eyes away from the exquisite cover details, I found the book to be an interesting read, telling the tale of a family of children at the end of WW2 who put on a pageant, months of organising, all so that Serena can wear the beautiful dress sent from America. It seems highly unbelievable at times that such a massive pageant would be put on with hundreds of people taking part, but was still enjoyable To be honest, it lacked the journey, struggles and character development that I usually like in her books, there wasn't enough of a journey for the main characters, it's probably the weakest of her books I've read, but still worth a read if only for imagining the dress and the wardrobe full of motheaten vintage gowns belonging to Mrs Day of the manor house!








19. Tony Wilmott Birdoswald Roman Fort (English Heritage Guidebooks)
Around 12 years ago or so, I completed an A level history project equivalent in length to a doctorate or more (if I remember rightly, my word count was something like 34,0000 words! I only discovered later that most projects were around 4000 words) It was about searching for the real Camelot and the real King Arthur. A lot of my study looked at reviewing potential sites for where Camelot was and weighing up the likelyhood of its being there. I eventually concluded that Camelot could have been at a place called Birdoswald on Hadrian's wall. I always wanted to visit there. So it was lovely when I was in Northumberland to visit there with CBC as it is around 7miles or so away from where we were staying! When I was there, I bought this copy of a guidebook to find out about it again (I regret that I gave my only printed copy of my project to my friend Owen who never returned it!!



The computer copy is on Floppy disc. Not sure how to access it!)

The gude was an interesting look at the site and what is available but curiously didn't seem to mention ANYTHING to do with Camelot!

Thanks to Amazon for the images.

Things to be thankful for...

I have had lots of things I want to post but haven't posted them! Terrible really- most important post I should make time for:

Every fine thing that God has given me.

1. For amazing opportunities- the chance to perform solos

2. For people having faith and trust in me to take on challenges

3. For supportive friends who want to support and encourage, especially when you are feelign things didn't go so well.

4. For sleep glorious sleep. Replenishing. Vital.

5. For CBC and my Mum- my true and loving supporters!

6. For my sister. Stays positive even when scared and worried.

7. For the joy of performing with others- a shared experience- raises everyone higher!

8. For my colleague who realised my weekend would be busy and made sure I didn't have to do any shared planning this weekend.

9. For snuggly hugs!

10. For the beautiful growth in the garden. Summer is lovely. Even God's weeds are beautiful! Remember, a weed is only a weed when it appears where not wanted.

Look what I managed to find growing in my garden today! I love Late spring and early summer!

Figs aplenty

Young cherries

Daisies in abundance!

Unexpected self-seeded marigold?

Patio weeds! Dainty and pink

Young Reverend Wilks apples

Er- miscellaneous yellow flowers! They illustrate the structure of a flower beautifully. "Ok class, here we can see petals, stigmas, stamen..."

Sinister weeds with beautiful forget-me-not style crowns! Pretty but painful to remove!

The queen of daisies!

Help! Dress dilemma!

I've had what has seemed a difficult week! Progressively, as it has drawn closer to Saturday, I have become a little bit more stressed each day with 2 slight melt downs- one regarding literacy lessons to my colleague and the other to CBC when he listened to me practice earlier and made helpful comments of how to improve but when one note refused to stay beautiful and not crack at the end and he started laughing, I got very cross and upset! The only things that have kept me smiling this week are:
1. Lovely blogs and bloggers- thank you!
2. CBC when he's not laughing at me and being sweet
3. Choir practice at church- I love being there- so calm and great to put my mind to better purpose!
4. My job share- who is rapidly becoming a more important and supportive friend.

I am very nervous about tomorrow but hey, I just have to get on with it! It's a wonderful opportunity to be given to be the soloist when we usually have pros and I just have to enjoy it!

Anyway, in a bid to relax a little, I went for a pedicure which was great except for getting the giggles when she pumice-stoned the soles of my feet! Pretty green sparkly, especially in blurry shot! The sandals were on to get in practice for playing the flute in them tomorrow.

When performing a concerto, or indeed when there is a soloist, there is always the question- what are they going to wear? Normally, I would be wearing a long black dress for concerts, but this time I can wear one of my other dresses. I saw no point in buying anything new, as I have far too many already. I had several choices which I made CBC look at to help me decide which one to wear. I really wish I'd asked advice of girlies before now, but hey, please leave me a message before 1pm tomorrow if you have a strong opinion!
This pink silk one was a thrifted purchase some years ago- I really like it, although it doesn't go well with the underwear I was wearing, nor do I like the way I am sticking my tummy out- really bad habit! Am always being told off for my posture! Was a second choice
This Monsoon one which I bought some years ago, was one I really want to wear, but it has boning in the bodice and I think that it might panic me in terms of breathing (important for flute) tomorrow night.
This dress from TK Maxx around about 10 years ago was one I bought for the last time I performed a concerto with an orchestra (Nielsen). I really like it and was going to wear it but CBC thought it not ostentatious enough.
This Maria Grachovogel one, is one that my MUM took on holiday with her without asking me because my sister said it was a good idea, and the first I knew about it was looking at her holiday photos! CBC thought it said 'Party' rather than 'orchestral soloist'.

So...

we decided the one I should go with is my bridesmaid dress from my sister's wedding- which is quite bright electric blue in the correct light!

Haven't even thought about accessories. Can't be bothered to worry!

I realise I must have lost some weight since I last wore it though, so it is a bit big at the sides.

However, I feel comfortable playing in it.

WHAT DO YOU THINK????? PLEASE let me know if I have made the right choice????!!!


Finally, as CBC sadly had to go home and I was feeling a bit blue after my meltdown (OVER F# ssssss- what silly reason to be stressed!!!!), I decided to eat Beechdean ice-cream! Highly recommended- creamy and delicious! I stay in the village where it's made every summer!

Amongst the butterflies and flowers plus free shoes comp mention!

Today I decided to embrace the vibe of the 1970's patterns and colours of tents (it's true, they were all orange and brown- AKA minging- I had one!) by wearing this dress (Portobello road) combined with black hareem pants and turquoise butterfly earrings (Joy) to further embrace my inner hippy!

I thought I'd also treat you to a peak of my mountainous book collection behind me- they are double stacked!
(Did you see what I did there? Oh dear, bad homophone jokes)


Oh dear, a ubiquitous 'peeking round the camera shot' GAAAH!

The said dress, trying to emulate hideous 60's and 70's tents provoked conversations at school about sneakily chopping a bit off it to make a patchwork quilt (thanks ladies!)

Anyway, enough about heinous clothing combinations, I wanted to share these BEAUTIFUL melanine items that are currently available at the National History Museum's online shop. I saw them advertised in Stylist* magazine, a free mag which was lying on a seat on the train. Lovely butterflies- definitely would love to buy these for summer picnics and just generally having to use in the house! What do you think? They have some really nice items including this solar-powered fluttering butterfly which is great if there are no Monarch butterfies gracing your area with their presence!


Bowl= £5.00

Large serving plate £15.00

Salad servers

Beaker

Solar-powered fluttering butterfly (all images from www.Nhmshop.co.uk)

Finally, if anyone is in the Portobello road area on Saturday night and fancies a bit of classical music culture, come and watch my concert at St Peter's church, Nottinghill Gate. It's the orange church on Kensington Park road, parallel to Portobello I think, just before Paul Smith on the corner! You get to laugh at me in a big dress playing flourishy French music on my flute plus a gorgeous Brahms symphony plus a great Sibelius piece called 'The Swan of Tuonela'. Tickets are £10 (£7.50 concessions) or £8.50 at wegottickets!
Info at www.kco.org.uk

Thank you lovely recent visitors! Lovely to be visited at home! Sorry I had no digestive biscuits and tea for you when you arrived!


*Speaking of which - Stylist magazine is offering a free pair of cool shoes every day for a fortnight. Bionda Castana heels today! Enter at the link.

Weekend of plenty!

...in more senses than one! I had few preconceived ideas about the weekend except for going to a Eurovision party! It started off so beautifully in weather-terms although once I had left the house wearing my favourite dress from Whitestuff (Jane Austen influenced choice!)embracing what I thought was the summer, with a small white cardigan, leggings and scarf, it seemed to come over absolutely arctic, so I shivered my way through the afternoon!

Brrrrr!!!!!


We drove up to Spitalfields and Brick Lane in Tower hamlets with the intent of buying my new bike. I was slightly reluctant before, since a) I have 2 bikes (albeit both those dear old vintage ladies belonging to other people originally), b) Rosie (my Raleigh) is in very good condition, and I didn't really want to spend money on something I already have and Betty (Bickerton) is a fold up bike with 3 gears who is rather unstable and temperamental. BUT, having spent most hills in Northumberland sweating and ranting at my very heavy, cumbersome and stubborn stead, I realised that 5 gears is not enough for the type of hills I will encounter; London to Brighton has one massive hill near the end which there is NO way I will get up; Rosie is trapped in Northumberland as there was no space for her when we came back at Easter and CBC's sister, who was to bring her back this weekend, was not able to, due to a Radio 1 event in Carlisle clogging up the trains and I haven't ridden for 3 weeks and it is getting rather close to the race and I need to get some serious training in, so unless I want to spend £100 going up to Nortumb on the train (which I don't have time for), I was stuck!

So finally, I gave into CBC's constant persuasion to go and have a look! My heart was set on a pale blue girly bike that could be dressed in daisy garlands for the race but I realised that this was not going to be a simple matter.

We parked near Brick lane, which has an amazing array of vintage shops which I had to be torn away from and some great graffiti- not graffiti, but beautiful art work!

I love this one! So cool!

I wondered HOW on Earth someone managed to climb up and do this! How long did it take? Amazing skill!

We saw these hilarious car parking spaces. Someone is anti-cars me thinks!



Bird poo!

On my way home today, I went out of Platform 5 at Liverpool Street- such beautiful architecture!

CBC purchased lots of lovely cheese from this lovely Spitalfields shop (for the Eurovision party) as we had to take European dishes!

I grumpily had to wait outside as he was invited to sample lots of lovely cheeses, because...

I had to look after Celeste!!!!! She's my new bike! She is a Specialized- very comfy! We bought her from Cycle surgery! She feels so light and easy to ride, she has lots of gears and being white can easily be adorned with flower garlands (such as these lovely ones I bought from Poppydaisy at Spitalfields.)

As you can see from the picture, we also made a detour into Cotswolds camping shop because we desperately need a new tent as my porch pole has snapped and ripped the canvas! We were very excited to buy a lovely Vango Beta 450- a spacious 4man tent that we can stand up in!!! I haven't had such a big tent of my own before! I've always had light ones!

Somehow we managed to shove Celeste and the tent into the car and proceeded post-haste to North London to attend our Eurovision engagement!

We had a fantastic time- a glass of Pims to begin with (that was the limit of my alcohol, the one glass, I don't drink as a rule, but Pims is tasty!)

The food was amazing! People had crafted pavlovas, moussaka, pasta salads, there were cold meats, pizza, salads, cheeses, trifle, mini pies and more1 If only I had had room for more!

I enjoyed many of the acts- We had to give scores out of 50 in the categories of dance, costume, lyrics, song and overall performance! I was a lot more generous than the guy next to me who gave minus marks! I really liked Slovenia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland the best! Germany was my least favourite, despite Lena being very sweet! I just thought it was a rubbish song!

Mmmm, check out just ONE table of the food!

Unfortunately, I felt inexplicably queasy and exhausted at the end and literally fell asleep on CBC's shoulder, but enough of that. Still feeling somewhat under the weather and lethargic this morning.

CBC dropped me off at the station and I just had to share these two funny shops with you!

This one is for CBC's sister!

On my way home, I grabbed some items from M&S as stocks were low in the house and made a really lovely plate full. I love M&S Edamame bean salad and the Orzo and sun-dried tomato mixture. I had turkey, cucumber, tomatoes etc at home to go with it and have some for lunch tomorrow also!

Really yum!

Did I say mmmmm?
I finished with plenty of Optional SATs papers to mark. Wanted to cry but enough said also about that! This is a positive post!