Keys and a Haircut

I saw a key box in a charity shop.

It wasn't the box that attracted me it was the old keys that decorated the front.

Someone had sewn the keys onto some fabric. The fabric was stained and not a pretty sight, so I took the keys off.

While I decide how best to display them, I thought you might like to see them:

Obviously one is to a clock, but the others are quite delicate. I imagine they were used for cabinets or boxes as they would snap if used for anything as tough as a door lock.

On a completely different subject, Elsie had her first bath and haircut on Tuesday.

I couldn't believe underneath that mop was a Welsh Terrier.

It's probably just my imagination but she seems better behaved now all the fur has gone (apart from chewing Dad's slipper, of course).

Blessings,

Andi xx

Back From Hols

We've just returned from a two week break in Cornwall and Somerset (to a house of chaos - but that's another story). One of our day's out included a trip to Dunster Castle. On the way, I spotted a salvage yard, and miracle upon miracle, M agreed to stop.

As I know a lot of us here enjoy a good salvage yard, I thought I'd share some pics (with minimum commentary):

This fearsome beast greeted us at the entrance:

Old suitcases are popular at the moment:

A butcher's block:

complete with broken label:

Beautiful old stoves to keep you warm...

And a water pump for your bathing:

Milk churns are always fun (and a family joke)

A beautiful old lantern frame

My Nan had one of these in her porch:

but she didn't have a kangaroo

For some unknown reason I really wanted this signpost, but with all our luggage it wouldn't have got in the car:

giant clock hands

and just for fun...

Did I buy? Yes. I bought a large black cast iron saucepan to use in the garden. I forgot to take a pic. Maybe when I've planted it up.

A very enjoyable trip which doesn't happen often enough for me.

Blessings,

Andi xx

A Lesson Learned

Oh dearie, dearie me.

Before I begin my tale I have to confess something:

My name is Andi and I sometimes do the school run in my pjs.

It's true. I have a tendency to be a Slummy Mummy.

I had been warned by my bestest friend,

'What if the car breaks down?'

On a ten minute run? How likely is that?

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

So I'm driving M to the train station, both wondering what the sudden strange noise was...

M deserts me - he has a train to catch.

RAC ETA - 2 hours.

I'm only about a mile from home so I decide to walk back...

up the steepest hill in the area....

Not only am I dressed in my pjs, I'm also desperate for the loo.

The effort of walking uphill is obviously putting pressure on my bladder and the desperation increases.

I'm walking like Max Wall...

To distract my thoughts, I text bestest friend to say I'll never scoff at her warnings again.

She replied 'Don't break into a run or they'll think you've escaped from the local hospital'.

We have lots of traffic on our road. Goodness knows what they thought.

Fortunately I only met one other person walking towards me

WHO STOPPED ME TO ASK DIRECTIONS!

Is there ANYTHING better than the blessed relief of reaching a toilet in such circumstances?

I've learned my lesson. From now on I'll dress before playing chauffeur.

Blessings,

Andi xx

Born To Be Wild

Happy Sunday to you all!

I had put this sign in the wild patch in the garden but the colours ran in the rain, even though I used my sooper-dooper new laminator (I think the rain got in through the staple holes. Doh!).

The flowers are so beautiful. I think I prefer them to pedigree blooms.

I'm definitely a wild flower gal. I'm planning to expand the wild bed next year.

Moving away from the wild side...

I'm not especially fond of roses. I'm not into the colour pink either, but these roses are beautiful. It's a David Austin Old English scented rose and I believe it's called Ausbreeze:

OK

are you ready for the heartbreak picture of this post?

Steal yourselves...

Elsie had her girlie tubes tied on Wednesday. She was very down in the tail for 24 hours, but soon perked up. The vet took her dressing off yesterday and she now has to wear the cone for a week to prevent her scratching, biting and licking the wound.

I feel so guilty.

Not only have I put her through all this horrible stuff, she'll never experience motherhood.

And I won't get to have grandpuppies.

*SIGH*

Blessings,

Andi xx

So easy it's almost cheating

I've sewn something!

And as my title says, it was so easy I feel I'm cheating even telling you about it.

I needed a peg bag. My pegs until now have been kept in a plastic freezer bag - not a great sight. So when I found a blue spotty top in a charity shop, I thought making it into a peg bag would be a wheeze.

The woman who sold the top to me folded it up so carefully, I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd be cutting it up.

I've sewn three sides and done a bit of cutting. How simple was that? I feel it's hardly worth telling you about it. However, I did have to contend with some interruption...

Having never heard the sewing machine working before, Elsie was rather curious.

So perhaps this will explain why I'm feeling ever so slightly triumphant.

Blessings,

Andi xx

Flat Battery. Darn!

First Harvest

Three blueberries from my garden.

So proud.

Thank you George the Lad and Rose H. The unidentified flower in my last post is indeed a Pheasant Berry (what a fantastic name). Sherri B. I thought it was some kind of fushia too. Looks very much like it, doesn't it?

School holidays are upon us so I took my daughter up to London for a girls' day out. I knew I should take my camera but the battery was flat. Darn! So here to help the tale along are some 'borrowed' photos.

First stop was Zara's at Oxford Circus where I bought a shirt and daughter tried on a white leather-look jacket. The jacket was lovely, but too old for my daughter, much to her disgust.

Then a stroll down Regent Street led us to All Saints.

Oh My!

Here is where I wished I'd had my camera. The shop was fitted out with hundreds of vintage sewing machines. Floor to ceiling.

Can you see in this pic?

There were also mangles and (I think) cider presses. I loved the shop just for the decor.

The clothes, alas, were out of my budget (£40 for a t-shirt? I don't think so) and of a style I'd imagine Helena Bonham Carter would wear on her more casual days. I loved it.

Then on to M&M World.

Again floor-to-ceiling decor only this time it was practical and edible. Tube after tube of M&Ms all the usual colours and more (black?). Clothes, toys - even dog chews. We had a great time.

Armed with a bag each of our favourite colours we made our way to the Novello Theatre in the Strand for the matinee of Betty Blue Eyes.

This is a musical version of Alan Bennett's 'A Private Function' and boasts an animated pig called Betty (voice supplied by Kylie Minogue, no less).

It was a jolly, patriotic kind of show that sent us home humming the tunes and wishing we had Union Jacks to wave.

A grand day out. Next time, I'll be sure to recharge the camera battery. Tch!

Blessings,

Andi xx

ps - thank you for all your congratulations re the play. Made me beam. xx

Elsie, Some News and a Question

I meant to show you the pics of Elsie first, but it seems the following uploaded in this particular order, so here goes:

WE WON! The play wot I wrote won Best Production in the festival. Along with the brilliant performance by the cast we had them almost rolling in the aisles. I was so astonished. I was hoping for a couple of laughs and a few chuckles. The response was amazing.

Here I am collecting the trophy from the Festival Coordinator:

(Perhaps I'll remember to relax my shoulders next time.)

This has certainly encouraged me to write more for the stage.

NEXT - Elsie. Butter wouldn't melt, eh?

Here she is with a towel stolen from the downstairs loo:

Earlier on today she 'helped' me dig a hole for a paeony. Digging deep...

...and then deeper...

The other morning I found I'd left a cushion to my swing seat out all night. It had rained and the cushion was very wet. I left it in the kitchen to dry by the Aga while I went out for coffee....came back to find the kitchen filled with foam and a very amused puppy. Hmmmm.

Lastly, can anyone help me identify this plant?

I bought it at a car boot sale last year. The seller didn't know what it was either but told me it grew well and was easy to care for. I've searched google images but can't find it.

I'll try and blog more often from now on.

Blessings,

Andi xx