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STRICTLY GERSHWIN AT THE LONDON COLISEUM ..... THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET .....

2012-01-23T09:23:00.000Z

The London Coliseum is an opera house on St. Martin's Lane in central London and is one of London's largest and best equipped theatres. It opened in 1904 and was designed by theatrical architect Frank Matcham, who also designed the famous London Palladium.

The other night, we went to see The English National Ballet's interpretation of Strictly Gershwin. It's a dazzling celebration of the sparkling age of Hollywood music and dance.

There is always so much to look at in London, even as you walk from the station to the theatre ..... I always remember someone telling me years ago that, when walking in any city, town or village, anywhere in the world, to always look UP as well as DOWN ..........

..... there are so many wonderful architectural details to be seen .....

.....even in the pub !!

..... in the shop windows .....

..... even before the performance, the theatre has some beautiful details to look at .....

The interiors of London theatres are so beautiful ..... yes, I am that woman taking loads of photos of the theatre right up until the lights dim ..... anyway, curtain up and strike up the band .....

Combine Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris ( amongst many more of Gershwin's compositions ) with sensational choreography and you conjure up the Silver Screen genius of Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly. It's a glittering journey in dance from ballet to tap, ballroom to jazz, climaxing in a breathtaking finale.

I'm off now to practice my arabesque and pas de deux .....

I just can't seem to get them quite right !!!!

image 1: via Grant Smith, image 2: via Travel Stay, images 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14: via ME, image 4: via Gerrod, image 5: via brown dress with white dots, image 15: via tickets inventory, images 16 & 17: via The London Coliseum, image 18: via Northampton Chronicle, image 19: via Southwark Carers, image 20: via Stop Traffic Clothing, image 21: via Pear Tree, image 22: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio

..... A LITTLE TIED UP .....

2012-01-10T15:31:00.000Z

Have been somewhat tied up, helping to move our son, daughter-in-law and grandson into their Victorian home. As they have been living with us for a few months while everything went through, having sold their flat a while ago, they now have the luxury of moving in at their leisure.

After getting the keys on Thursday, we have been gradually moving them in but, they are now on their own, apart from some help with painting & babysitting !!

Most of their possessions are now in their new home and they can now start making it theirs .

Here's wishing them many happy times in their new home....

..... &, if you haven't seen them already, here's a video of the spectacular London fireworks, bringing in 2012, the music having been mixed by our son for the second year running.

They were even more amazing than last year so well done Dan ..... another proud moment for your Mum and Dad !!

image 1: via Pretty Stuff, image 2: via House Move Checklist, images 3, 4, & 5: via Love French Bulldogs, images 6 & 7: via The Little Corner, image 8: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio.

Video via You Tube from the BBC.

JUST A REMINDER ........

2012-01-01T18:01:00.002Z

Just a little reminder to go over to Lou, Boos and Shoes , as I am guest posting on this New Years Day. Lou's blog is beautiful and you will love her posts ( much more so than my guest one .... haha !! )

Please go over and leave a comment for me !

&, once again,

HAPPY NEW YEAR

image : via The Fame Kills

A NEW YEAR'S EVE FAMILY WEDDING, THE LONDON FIREWORKS & GUEST POSTING ..........

2011-12-30T12:56:00.003Z

We are off to a family New Year's Eve Wedding today. I am so looking forward to it, as it will be lovely to be with all of our family on New Year's Eve. Must try to pace myself with the alcohol.....don't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone !!

..... and, don't forget to watch the London Fireworks that will bring in 2012 ..... for the second year running, our son, Daniel, has mixed all of the music that accompanies them. Last year the fireworks and the music were spectacular.

.... and, finally, please go over to Lou, Boo's and Shoes on New Year's Day. Her beautiful, honest and thought-provoking blog is two years old , and I am guest posting on that day, so please go over and comment and also peruse her lovely blog.... you won't be disappointed.

That just leaves me one more thing to do and that is to wish all of my supportive followers and commenter's a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year. May 2012 be filled with everything that you wish for.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

image 1: via brown dress with white dots, image 2: via The Gaurdian, image 3: via Reuters, image 4: via Lou, Boo's and Shoes.

IT'S CHRISTMAS !!!!! ..........

2011-12-24T11:33:00.001Z

Well, it's almost here ..... food is bought, the cellar is full & the presents are wrapped.....

All that's left for me to do is to wish all of my blogging friends a wonderful Christmas. Thanks so much for all of your support and lovely comments throughout 2011 .

Wishing you all a Happy & peaceful New Year.

Hope that Santa brings you all that you wished for !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

WITH LOVE

image 1: via Toast, images 2, 3, & 4: via beauty and grace, image 5: via encore life, image 6: via tiny white daisies, images 7, 8, & 9: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio

HERE WE COME A HEADBANGING AMONG THE STATUS QUO !! ..........

2011-12-12T13:23:00.000Z

It was the O2 Arena for us last night ..........

We were 'The Kid's in America' with Kim Wilde ..........

We 'Wished it could be Christmas everyday' , and said 'Goodbye Blackberry Way' with Roy Wood and Wizard .....

and, we got 'Down, down, deeper and down ' and were 'Rocking All Over The World' with Status Quo !!

.......... and finally were covered in a confetti snowstorm !!

Christmas has begun !!!!

image 1: via we heart it, image 2: via me, image 3: via idiot flashback, image 4: via acravan, image 5: via KCTunes, image 6: via me, image &: via 30days out.

BY INVITATION ..... SOME ENCHANTED EVENING ..........

2011-12-06T10:04:00.000Z

Tina of The Enchanted Home has invited the members of By Invitation to a virtual Christmas party. It's big, it's lavish and, our hosts are moving heaven and earth to make it the party of the season.

Of course, this means that I've got to sort out something to wear so, I am telling you this in complete confidence, and you must swear that you won't tell anyone what I'm going to wear, just in case someone else decides to copy my posh frock !!

Now, tell me which one I should wear .....

Should it be this snowy white number ? ..........

or, this grey satin creation .....

with matching hat .....

and, lacy, crystal cuffs ? You choose.

Shoes to match .....

Oh, I have got these cuffs ..... which do you think ?

feather and crystal bag .....

make up ..... sorted .....

and, a coat as it could be chilly.

We also need to take a hostess gift .....

My gift is this Caroline Swift Christmas antique finished platinum glass bauble. with glass droplet from an antique chandelier and other tiny treasures .....

packaged beautifully in snowy white paper.

Now all I have to do .....

is collect Mr Home from work, so that I can sober him up and get him ready too !!!! ha ha

Don't forget to go over to Marsha @ Splenderosa for links to all of the other attendees and to see what they will be wearing.

images 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 13: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio, image 2: via img fav, images 7 & 9: via Dustjacket Attic, image 8: via featured fascinator, image 10: via the fame killss, image 11: via the hilarious mind, image 12: via Caroline Swift, image 14: via Brainz.

SEASONAL STIRRINGS ..........

2011-11-29T01:31:00.001Z

I am beginning to get those seasonal feelings !!!! ..........

After some glorious Autumnal weather, there was frost on the cars this morning, bringing thoughts of ..........

Christmas wreaths ..........

candlelight ..........

Carols being sung in churches ..........

seasonal food ..........

chestnuts roasting on open fires ..........

..........of Kings and shepherds ..........

Christmas cake mixture ..........

and royal icing ...........

Christmas cards to be written and posted..........

Time to limber up the lips for all that kissing under ..........

the mistletoe !!!!

image 1: via night tattoo, image 2: via nordic shades, image 3: via tiny white daisies, image 4 & 5: via tumblr, image 6: via fabkeramik, image 7: via isle of view, image 8: via a cottage in the woods, image 9,11,12 & 14: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio, image 10 & 13: via pinterest.

LUNCH AT GRIM'S DYKE ..........

2011-11-14T12:40:00.002Z

Grim's Dyke has a fascinating history since it's construction in 1872 by Richard Norman Shaw for the eminent Victorian artist, Frederick Goodall.

In 1890, it was bought by W.S. Gilbert, the famous dramatist and librettist partner of Sir Arthur Sullivan, and it remained his home for over 20 years until his death in the lake.

Sir William S Gilbert died on the 29th May 1911 while teaching two young women how to swim in his lake. One of the women, out of her depth, called out for help and Gilbert tried to rescue her. Accounts are conflicting but he died of heart failure, either in the middle of the lake during the attempted rescue or shortly thereafter.

Grimsdyke has acheived awards for it's garden's, was a sanitorium and hospital, the site of secret World War 11 projects, became a film set for Hammer Horror films and, the location for many well known TV shows.

Surrounding the house are the ground's, an enchanting mix of wild woodland and formal gardens. The rhododendron's introduced in the late 1850's, burst into life in the Spring, presided over by the majestic Giant Redwood's and Monkey Puzzle tree. Bluebell's carpet the wood's and flank the gently winding paths. Indeed, lost paths are still being unearthed. In 2001, the head gardener discovered a labyrinth of cobbled pathways linking the lake and the Dyke and a secret monkey house built for Gilbert's pet monkeys.

Walk past Lady Gilbert's treasured sunken rose garden, where over 12 historical varieties of roses bloom, over the moat where the duck's swim quietly and you will find Gilberts orchard, home to many diferent fruit tree's including a Ribbstin Pippin apple, first eaten in 1707.

Inside the house amongst the bedroom's, is the restaurant, a magnificent music room with it's breathtaking Minstrel's Gallery and alabaster fireplace, and a beautiful drawing room with original oak-panelling, imposing fireplace and views over the croquet lawn.

Back outside, walk deeper into the woods and you will come across the famous boating lake. Lady Gilbert had the lake drained after Sir William's death but the lake and original waterfall are now being restored, and should be back to their former glory soon.

Having a son in the music business and a daughter who also loves music a dad who played saxaphone and clarinet and played in a band and a mum who sang with a band, I have very varied music tastes from The Beatles, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Faith No More to jazz, classical music and many other genres but I'm afraid that the music of Gilbert, (the owner of the house) and Sullivan is not my favourite but, a day out and lunch in his house is one very enjoyable experience and one that I will be enjoying again in the not too distant future !!!!

All photos courtesy of me !!

BY INVITATION ..........

2011-11-01T11:48:00.000Z

Our subject for By Invitation this month is :

Name the thing/person/place we've always wanted to experience.

Dream that money is no object.

Tell the world what you've always wanted to do or wish you could do but just haven't done yet.

This takes a bit of pondering ...... I have now reached the dizzy heights of the big 6 ..0, so, I have done many, many enjoyable things in my life and fulfilled many ambitions along the way....I've had more years to do so than most of the other participants in By Invitation !! I have no desperate urge to ' find myself ' in the foothills of the Himalaya's or Peru's majestic Andes mountains, as beautiful as the may be.

Perhaps I am not as adventurous now as I was in my youth and good luck to those who are but, I am pretty much content with my lot.

I am sure that, when writing about 'if money were no object', I could wax lyrical about how we would help our children and favourite charities etc, etc. but, I think that's a given so .....

..... here's just a small list of things that I might like to do or haven't done .....

I wouldn't mind finding a large, dilapidated old house to do up ..... even though we've done a couple in our time .....

..... or, I might give Boy George a ring to see if he would like to sell us his Gothic pile in Hampstead ....... I love that house.

One thing that we have yet to do is to see the Northern Lights of Norway's far North. This natural light display in the sky is supposed to be a sight to behold. Joanna Lumley calls this stunningly beautiful natural display as ' the true wonder of the world '.

..... oh, and I would like to be taken there on a sleigh, by huskies !!!!

..... and, if you happen to have, or know anyone who has one of these .....

..... please, please, please, take me up in it. I have always wanted to do a vertical take off in a Harrier Jump Jet !!

A lifetime ambition never achieved !!!!

BUT .....

..... of course, we could burn this list, as most of these things are not going to happen and, even if they did, it probably wouldn't make my life any better or make me any happier or content.

Lots of great things to do are free or, at most, not overly expensive..... but, anyone with a Harrier Jump Jet, feel free to get in touch ..... I'm waiting !!

To see what other people have always wanted to experience, go over to Splenderosa for the links.

image 1: via brown dress with white dots, image 2, 4 & 9: via hearts of glass, image 3: via blessed wild apple girl, image 5: via news1, image 6: via kidzcoolzone, image 7: via about my area, image 8: via Royal techno news, image 10: via heartbeat oz, image 11: via inspire me crafts, image 12: via crush cul de sac.

LIPS THAT TOUCH LIQUOR ..... ENOUGH TO MAKE MEN ALCOHOLICS !!!!

2011-10-26T10:10:00.001+01:00

If you were around in 1919 and came across the following poster ..........

.......... I mean, seriously ..... wouldn't you just keep drinking !!!! haha

Happy Wednesday

TO AUTUMN ..........

2011-10-19T00:06:00.000+01:00

Autumn is in full swing, here in the UK.........

time for hot baths ..........

Candlelight ..........

Cosy beds ..........

Comfort food ..........

..... and for digging out your thermals..... oops,

..... thermals !!!!

Enjoy this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and the joy that it brings.

image 1: via inspired designs, image 2 & 3: via visualize.Us, image 4: via we heart it, image 5: via brown dress with white dots, image 6: via chateau de moissac, image 7, 8, 9: via heart of glass, image 10: via the paper mulberry, image 11: via tumblr, image 12 & 14: via pinterest, image 13: via zsa zsa Bellagio,

WINDOW SHOPPING ..........

2011-10-12T22:37:00.000+01:00

Our daughter lives in Crouch End, London and, whenever we go over to see her, there is often a little trip to one of our favourite shops there called Of Special Interest. It was established in 1988 and, since then, the shop has grown and now occupies three shops and a workshop.
The main items in stock are old and antique wardrobes, chest of drawers, cupboards and dresser bases, complimented by interesting and contemporary accessories. They also have a large stock of mirrors and chandeliers.

Opposite, on the other side of the road, is my other favourite shop called Little Paris, but, that's for another day.

Oh........... how did that picture get in there ?!!

ALL IMAGES BY ME.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS ..... BY INVITATION ONLY .....

2011-10-04T12:03:00.003+01:00

Our second post in the 'Invitation Only' series is 'The Devil Is In The Details' . This theme was chosen by two of the participant's :

Vicki Archer of French Essence

and

Tish Jett of Femme D'un A Certain Age.

When people say ' the devil is in the details', they usually mean that it is the small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked and can cause serious problems later on.

I'm far more shallow than that and have taken it literally !!!! haha

Some beautifully devilish details in fashion but, the follower of fashion that has got the details SO right is ..........

PERFECT !!!!

Pop over to Marsha @ Splenderosa to find the links to all of the other participant's.
One last thing.....if I haven't commented on some of your posts lately, it isn't for want of trying........I write a beautifully composed comment..... witty, humorous and sometimes sensitive !!, press publish and it disappears ! I shall persevere and hope that Blogger gets it's act together !!

image 2, 3, 5, 14, 16: via we heart it, image 4: via lingerie aficionado, image 6, 17: via night tattoo, image 7: via couture carrie, image8: via fashion plus, image 9: via style blazer, image 10, 11: via trend hunter, image 12, 13, 18: via Zsa Zsa Bellagio, image 15: via Vogue,

LEIGHTON HOUSE MUSEUM ..........

2011-09-26T11:30:00.000+01:00

On Friday, we went to Leighton House Museum which is the former studio/house of the Victorian artist Lord Frederic Leighton ( 1830-1896 ). It is located on the edge of London's Holland Park with sumptuous interiors and paintings by Leighton and his contemporaries including John Everett Millais, Edward Burne-Jones and George Frederick Watts.

The museum provides an unforgettable insight into Leighton's private world and is a unique venue for the understanding and appreciation of Victorian art and architecture.

I started to take some photographs and all of a sudden this very angry woman came rushing up to me and told me off !! She told me that photography wasn't allowed and she followed me for the remainder of my time there !! At least she didn't take my camera and smash it ! The following are what I managed to take before I was found out. There aren't any of the upstairs, as she had got my number by then !

From the outside of the house, you would never guess how beautiful the interior is. Although the experience wasn't quite as good as my favourite house in Spitalfields ..... Dennis Sever's House ..... but, it is well worth a visit.
Also, it is situated in one of the most salubrious parts of London. Here are just a few of the wonderful houses that we passed .....

..... on our way to .....

but, that's another story .....

image 1: via gutenburg, image 3: via what to do, image 4: via The Gaurdian, all other images by me.

YOU DON'T STOP RIDING BECAUSE YOU'RE OLD, BUT YOU GET OLD WHEN YOU STOP RIDING .........

2011-09-19T10:33:00.003+01:00

After reading a post on Tom Stephenson's blog about his experiences on his motorbike, I thought that I would tell you about my Aunt and Uncle.

Here they are above, on my Uncle's treasured Vincent bike. They have been enthusiasts of motorcycling for many years and, my Aunt rode pillion, wearing full leathers made by my Uncle, pretty much up until she died, a few years ago, in her early 80's. My uncle still rides it and goes on rallies in this country and often in Holland and he is now 83 !! Here's hoping that the inherited genes give me the opportunity to be doing similar things in my 80's !!
I'm not sure when this photograph was taken but I just wished that I had one of them both in their 80's on the bike.

This is The Ace Cafe on the North Circular Road where the ton-up boys hung out in the 50's and later the Rockers. For my sins and, I can hear many old Rockers and bike enthusiasts taking a sharp intake of breath, I was a Mod !! so, The Ace Cafe wasn't really my stamping ground. I'm sure that my Aunt and Uncle might have hung out there a few times though ! The Ace Cafe closed in the late '60's ....... rockers had simply fallen out of fashion. It did re-open though, in 1997.

All I can say is that my Aunt and Uncle were in very good company ..........

........... and, finally, a high five and many congratulations to our daughter, who did The Great North Run on Sunday for the first time in 2 hours 17 minutes ! I would have lasted 5 minutes !!

image 1: mine, image 2: via The Vintage Guide To London, image 3: Via Cinema Style, image 4: via Burritobros, image 5: via China Daily, image 6: via Ellev.tumblr, image 7: via my new plaid pants, image 8: via full bore motorcycles, image 9: via port-magazines, image 10: via the consumerism, image11: via watsons wildlife, image 12: via fashion gone rogue, image 13: via photography Abdu, image 14: via we heart it.

IF GOD ISN'T DONE WITH YOU, GOD ISN'T DONE WITH YOU !! ..........,

2011-09-09T21:19:00.000+01:00

Make sure that you read the text below the first photograph before you look at the second photograph ..........

Look at the picture above ..... the white pick-up truck was driving from right to left at 75 mph when it crashed through the barrier, it flipped end over end, bounced off and across the barrier and landed, right side up on the left side of the barrier facing in the opposite direction from which the driver was travelling. The 22 year old driver and his 18 year old passenger were unhurt except for minor cuts and bruises.
Now look at the second picture below !!!!!!!!! ....................

IF GOD ISN'T DONE WITH YOU,
GOD ISN'T DONE WITH YOU !

BY INVITATION ONLY .......... MY SYMPHONY ..........

2011-09-06T09:45:00.002+01:00

I was asked, among many others, to join ' By Invitation Only' ..... a group who will post monthly on given subjects.
The first given to us is My Symphony ..... a short quotation by William Henry Channing and here is my humble contribution ..........

To live content with small means;

to seek elegance rather than luxury,

refinement rather than fashion;

to be worthy not respectable,

and wealthy, not rich;

to listen to stars .....

and birds,

babes and sages, with open heart,

to study hard; to think quietly; act frankly, talk gently,

await occasions, hurry never;

in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony.

My Symphony

To live content with small means;

to seek elegance rather than luxury,

and refinement rather than fashion;

to be worthy, not respectable,

and wealthy, not rich;

to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages,

with open heart;

to study hard;

to think quietly;

act frankly,

talk gently,

await occasions,

hurry never;

in a word, to let the spiritual,

unbidden and unconscious,

grow up through the common - this is my symphony.

William Henry Channing

1810 - 1884

'By Invitation Only' was started by Marsha @ Splenderosa so, please follow the link to her and see all of the other contributors of 'My Symphony'.

images 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 15 : via Brown Dress with White spots, image 2 : via Flickr, image 3 : via Babes and Sages, image 6 : via Dangerous Liaisons, images 7, 8, 10 and 14 : via We Heart It, image 9 : via Percolate Paradox, image 16 : via Israbox, image 17: via me.

FAMILY TROUBLES !!!! ..........

2011-08-31T23:42:00.000+01:00

Things don't always run smoothly in families do they ? All is obviously not well with our grandson.........he is unemployed, sleeps all day and, his mother just tires herself out, feeding him, washing his clothes and pandering to his every whim. The last straw came when our daughter-in-law sent us this photograph of him and said that he has put on his hoodie and is ready to riot ..........

Just what is happening to the younger generation ?!!

ARE WE ANYMORE ' GREEN ' THAN WE WERE ? ..........

2011-08-17T01:08:00.003+01:00

In the line at the supermarket, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own carrier bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologised to him and explained that ' We didn't have the green thing back in my day '. The cashier responded ' That's our problem today.....YOUR generation did not care enough to save OUR environment'.
He was right ........

OUR GENERATION DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING IN OUR DAY.

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soft drinks bottles and beer bottles to the shop or off-licence. They sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized, refilled and re-used so that it could use the same bottles again and again.........so, they really were recycled..........

BUT, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING IN OUR DAY.

We walked to the local shops and didn't climb into a 300 horsepower machine every time we had to go to the supermarket.

We bought fruit and veg loose .......... and washed them at home. We didn't have to throw away bins full of plastic, foam and paper packaging and need huge recycling plants fed by monster lorries all day, everyday..........but, he was right..........

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING IN OUR DAY.

Back then, we washed our babies nappies because we didn't have disposable ones and we washed up as we didn't have dishwashers.

We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts .......... wind and solar power really did dry the clothes.

Children got hand me down ( mostly hand made and hand knitted ) clothes from their brothers and sisters, not always brand new clothing, shipped from the other side of the planet. But, he was right ..........

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING BACK IN OUR DAY.

Back then, shops repaired things with funny things called spare parts .......... we didn't need to throw whole items away because a small part failed. Back then, we had one TV and one radio in the house .......... not a television in every room and, the television had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of Wales.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.

When we packaged a fragile item to send in the post, we used lots of newspaper to cushion it, not bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to mow the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power.
We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a brightly lit, air conditioned gym to run on treadmills that operate on electricity and then drink millions of bottles of that special water from those plastic bottles but, he's right ..........

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING BACK THEN.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a plastic cup or a plastic bottle every time we wanted a drink of water.
We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new plastic pen and ..........

.......... we replaced the blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole plastic razor just because the blade became blunt, but..........

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING BACK THEN.

Back then, people took the bus and children rode their bikes to school or walked, instead of turning their parents into a 24 hour taxi service.
We had one electrical socket in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power dozens of appliances..........and, we didn't need a computerised gadget to receive a signal, beamed from satellites 2,000 miles in outer space, to find our way, but then ..........

WHO WOULD WANT TO LIVE IN A TIME WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GREEN THING ?

DON'T FORGET TO RECYCLE WILL YOU ?

images 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 : via Brown Dress with white spots, image 2, 6 : We Heart It, images 3, 4, 17 : Crush Cul De Sac, image 15 : Ahhhlala, , image 16 : by Claire, image 7 : Vintage Rose Collection, image 11 : Lucyina Moodie, image 13 : The Telegraph,

JUST ABOUT AS WRONG AS IT GETS ..........

2011-08-12T15:13:00.001+01:00

Well, after the atrocious events here at the weekend, I thought that it was time for a little light relief, so to speak.
Anyone of a nervous or delicate disposition or who offends easily should look away now !!!! ....... you have been warned..........

No words are needed !!!!

Many thanks to everyone who left a comment re the riots. This is happening in many towns and cities, in many countries and, who knows what the answer is ( rioting, that is, not what's going on in the above images but, well, maybe it is !!!! ha ha )

A happy and peaceful weekend everyone.

PS: I hope that I haven't scared you all away !!

LONDON ..... AUGUST 2011 ..........

2011-08-09T09:19:00.001+01:00

Looting, violence, buildings blazing..... this is London, August 2011 .

image: Reuters

SUMMER FLOWERS & FRIPPERY ..........

2011-07-28T10:03:00.000+01:00

Summer has returned to the UK once again, after a couple of weeks of rain. Par for the course here, and we take the weather as it comes. I'm out and about everyday this week so, here are some lovely summery images and some random ones to feast your eyes on ..........

DO IT ALL THIS SUMMER !!

images 1, 13 & 14: Lillies and Lace, 2 & 8: Are So Happy, 3 & 7: An Angel At My Table, 4: A White Straw, 5: A Cottage In The Woods, 6 & 17: Umla, 9: Better Homes & Gardens, 10: Cannelle & Vanille, 11: Fashionising, 12: Jeanne d'Arc Living, 15: Plumo, 16: Rosies Armoire, 18,19 & 20: Vintage Rose Garden.

SPORADIC SUSSEX ..........

2011-07-18T11:29:00.002+01:00

Having been away for a while, I am posting lots of photos. Feel free to whizz through them and just say hello in a comment ..... just to let me know that you still remember who I am !!!!

Here I am in the four poster bed in my sister's spare room ,which was all mine while our husbands were gallivanting around Spain. I was woken up each morning with a nice cup of tea and a chat with my sister.

This is the entrance to my sisters studio..........

One sunny morning, we sat in the garden and sorted through some of the old photographs of our family that we needed to share out.

This is my Dad, Ken and his sister ( my aunt ) Corice.....I love that name.

.......... and here is one of my Grandad.

We ate lots of nice food ..... above is an amuse bouche of white onion foam and ham hock ..... just one of the lovely restaurant's that we visited .....

..... and this was my starter ..... crab with gazpacho.

We went to the farmer's market and bought fruit and veg, sea bass and crab claws .....

..... and listened to the band at the bandstand.

We went to Brighton for the day and, after popping into a few shops and making a few purchases, we had lunch at Riddle and Finns in the Lanes. Jane and Lance over at Hattatt recommended the Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell exhibition at the Royal Pavilion but, after lingering over lunch and being forced to duck into a few more shops ( haha ) we got there about 5 minutes too late and they had just let the last visitors in for the day !! We did peep into an open door ( that was guarded by a couple of security men ) and I think that I just caught a glimpse of Vanessa's Byzantine Lady.

We could have consoled ourselves with a couple of the above but, we resisted and had a stroll along the beach instead ( considering we had just had that massive plateful of seafood and a starter before it AND a few glasses of wine we thought that a walk by the sea was a healthier bet !! ) .....

We will have to go back for the exhibition which is on until October so, here are some images of the wonderful Brighton Pavilion which is so exotic and oriental in appearance, it never fails to amaze me..........

Built by John Nash for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823, it has the most extravagant chinoiserie interiors ever executed in the British Isles.

We both had a lovely ten days, as did our husbands, but, we are now back to our normal lives and, it has been raining for the last few days ..... typical English summer !!!!

All photos by me

SUSSEX IN THE SUN .......... hopefully !!!! ..........

2011-06-27T10:44:00.001+01:00

Am off to stay with my sister for a couple of weeks in Horsham, Sussex. Every summer, our husbands go off in ....................

the Morgan to Le Mans but, this year they are off, driving in Spain. Meanwhile, my sister and I eat and drink our way through all of the lovely restaurants in the surrounding area and polish off quite a few bottles of my sister's cellar !!!! haha. Well, considering our husband's will be enjoying the delights of Spain and what it has to offer, it would be rude not to, wouldn't it ?!!
........... I probably won't be commenting on your posts for a few days but will make up for it on my return.
Also, many, many, thanks to my blogging friend Simone of The Bottom of the Ironing Basket.

I won her fantastic giveaway of a pot of Dr. Perricone's Cold Plasma which is worth a pretty penny and much needed on my face !!!! I am looking forward to at least 10 years being taken off of my age and many offers of modelling assignments so, thank you SO much Simone. I have been reading Simone's blog ever since I began blogging two years ago ( note to self ..... have some sort of giveaway myself to celebrate my 2nd blogging anniversary !!) Simone lives fairly near me and loves London as much as I do. Her blog is one of the most beautiful in Blogland and you must go over and see for yourselves. She is kind, open and generous and her blog is a joy to visit.

See you all when I return and, please don't forget me !!

first two images by me and last image from Dr. Perricone website.

CELEBRATE ...............

2011-06-16T19:26:00.001+01:00

We are off to a family wedding in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk on Friday. The wedding is on Saturday at 1.00 p.m. and I'm looking forward to .....

Beautiful dresses ..........

Flowers ..........

A stunning venue .......... the above is where we are actually going. It looks pretty good to me......what do you think ?

Button holes ..........

Dining by candlelight ..........

Cupcakes ..........

We could possibly be needing one of these and ..........

the bride and bridegroom could be dancing in the rain !!

Looking forward to wining, dining, flowers and dresses, family and friend's, love and romance and an all round fabulous day.

Sending my best wishes to Christian and Michaela for a wonderful day and a happy life together.

images 1 & 4 : via vintage rose garden, image 2 : via french frosting, images 3 & 12: via visualize.us, image 5 : via Suffolk barn, image 6: via ruffled blog, image 7: via Elle Decoration, image 8: via Vintage Kompagniet, image 9: via shoshana loves, image 10: via so cute things, image 11: via we heart it, image 13: via Umla.

TO MAXI OR NOT TO MAXI ?.......THAT IS THE QUESTION ..........

2011-06-09T12:03:00.002+01:00

I bought the above dress from All Saints about two months ago and have yet to wear it. Being the age that I am ( !!!! ) and loving fashion for all of my life from about the age of 16, I have worn it all before !!

Biba, in South Kensington, was my second home and, my friend's and I spent hours and hours in there, trying clothes on, testing out the make-up and lounging on the 1920's leather settees, watching the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Twiggy etc, browsing and buying the great clothes that were sold there ( at a very reasonable price, may I add !! ) I still have a few of the clothes that I bought in Biba and, last year, one of my jackets ( the exact one ) was on The Antiques Road Show (...groan !!!!! ) and they said it was worth £800 !!!!

As you can see from the above page from a Biba catalogue, we are now wearing very similar clothes !! I think that's why I'm having trouble, wearing the maxi second time around !!

I have worn mini, midi, maxi , every which length.....you name it, I've worn it and, have just bought some palazzo trousers which are exactly the same as a pair I had in the late '60's. I have somehow managed to wear those.

I could have bought my dress in white but, I always feel that I should be selling ice-cream when I wear white !!

SO, the big question is..........Am I living in my own past and am now too old to wear it ?????

AND, are all of you wearing maxi dresses on a daily basis or do you feel as if you are going to a wedding when you wear them ????

Answers on a postcard please..........or in a comment.....whatever's quickest !!

image 1: via All Saints, image 2: via dolly rocker girl, image 3: via Biba mail order catalogue, image 4; Via Biba mail order catalogue, image 5: via mj-salad-days, image 6: via necco heart, image 7:via sweet as a peach, image 8: via red poppy fashion, image 9: via that's not my age, image 10: via scrumtrulescent, image 11: via dustjacket attic, images 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17: All Saints.

SUNDAY SNAPSHOT ............ AWWWW !!!! ............

2011-05-29T17:36:00.004+01:00

Grandson Henry and me..........cute or what ?!!

P S : You all obviously realise that the cute one is me, don't you ? Haha !!

CLASSY CUSHIONS ..........

2011-05-16T09:10:00.000+01:00

I like a nice cushion or two, don't you ? I have loads spread about the house and they can really make a dingy corner perk up can't they ? You don't have to spend a lot of money to change the look of a room ..... and, if you're really clever, like a lot of you bloggers out there, you can make them yourself !!
Here are a few that I'd like to get my hands on ..........

Oh, and it's not only the cushions I like........ I love everything in these rooms. They are all pretty gorgeous !!!!

AND NOW ..... here are some of my own that are strewn about our house, but they are just the tip of the iceberg ..... I have lots more !!

..... and don't forget .....

..... just saying !! .....

Note to self : Blogger lost all of my comments when it removed everyone's post !!!!!!!!!!

image 1: via Atlanta Bartlett, image 2: via A Cottage in the Woods, image 3: via Cox & Cox, image 4: via Are So Happy, image 5: via Umla, image 6: via Vintage Kompagniet, image 8: via Atlanta Bartlett, image 9: via Charlotte Casadajus, image 15: via We Heart It
ALL OTHER IMAGES : courtesy of moi !!

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY AT THE ABBEY and A NEW ARRIVAL ..........

2011-05-03T14:29:00.003+01:00

After enjoying the festivities of the Royal wedding, and all of the pomp and ceremony that we do so well, Mr. Home and I took ourselves up to Westminster Abbey to see the flowers and to soak up some of that wedding atmosphere that we all watched on Friday.

On arriving at the Abbey, fairly early, we knew that there would be a lot of queuing involved. There were two queues....one for cash and one for card transactions. Not knowing which was which, we got on the end of a queue only to find out that we were in the card queue that was taking an hour longer than the cash queue. Don't you just hate changing queues !! The queue that you started on always ends up being quicker than the other one !! Anyway, we changed queues and began chatting to a couple of lovely Canadian ladies and, before we knew it, after only 45 minutes we were at the entrance to the Abbey.

The next two photographs are not mine as photography is not allowed in the main part of Westminster Abbey.

Tradition dictates that the day following Royal weddings, the floral tribute is sent to the Abbey after the official photographs have been taken.
The Queen Mother began the long standing tradition when her wedding posy was left at the grave, in 1923, after her wedding. She left her flowers in memory of her brother Fergus, who was killed in 1915 during the First World War.
Catherine's bouquet followed the romantic gesture of the language of flowers :

Lily-of-the-valley .... return of love, happiness

Sweet William .... gallantry

Hyacinth .... constancy of love

Ivy .... fidelity, marriage, wedded love, friendship, affection

Myrtle .... the emblem of marriage

The myrtle in Catherine's bouquet are stems from the myrtle planted at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight by Queen Victoria in 1845 and a sprig from a plant, grown from the myrtle used in the Queen's bouquet in 1947.

The trees looked wonderful and softened the hardness of the abbey's stone walls and were under planted with lily-of-the-valley, strawberry plants with their white flowers and ferns. I was very tempted to pinch a sprig of lily-of-the-valley flowers as a keepsake but resisted as there were so many CCTV cameras and I didn't want to end up in the Tower of London !!!! The flowers will be left at the Abbey until the end of the week for the public to see and then, the trees will be planted at Highgrove, the Prince of Wales private residence, and the other flowers, including, white wisteria trees, white rhododendron, viburnum, Solomon's seal, fern's etc. will be sent to various charities.

After leaving the main part of the Abbey we entered the cloister's where there was a book that we signed for the Royal couple. I thought that you might like to see some of the parts of the Abbey that were not part of the wedding ceremony.

This is the Chapter House which dates back to the 1250's. It is one of the largest in England. The monks met here everyday for prayers and the King's Great Council first assembled here in 1257 and was effectively the beginning of the English Parliament. In the vestibule of the Chapter House is the oldest door in Britain, dated to the 1050's.

This massive double oak door secures the Pyx Chamber, built around 1070. This chamber housed many valuables of the Exchequer.

There are two large rectangular chests in the chamber, dating back to the 13th and 14th century which were evidently made inside the room as they are so huge. Samples of coinage were kept in these chests, called Pyxes, to show that the coinage was pure, by melting the coins down and the silver content measured. This procedure still takes place today in Goldsmith's Hall in the City of London.

The present Little Cloister and the surrounding houses, inhabited by the clergy and staff of the Abbey, stand on the site of the monastic infirmary.The central fountain dates from 1871. On the east side are the ruins of the 12th century chapel of, rather coincidentally, St. Catherine. It is planted with scented plants and was an area set aside for recuperation after illness. This area leads to ..........

.... the College Garden. This was the Infirmarer's garden, used to grow medicinal herbs, fruit trees, vegetables etc. for the occupants of the Abbey. It was in this garden that we saw the infamous ' cartwheeling verger ' having his lunch !!! I don't know if you saw him . If you didn't, he did three cartwheels down the nave, after the wedding !! He has obviously been forgiven !!

This is the entrance to the Abbey where a lot of the action took place !!

We then crossed Westminster bridge, which is painted green, the same colour as the green leather seats of the House of Commons, in contrast to Lambeth bridge which is painted red, the same colour as the red leather seats of the House of Lords. It was then time, after all of the queuing and absorbing of hundred's of years of British history, to go and find a good meal and a drink or three !! ..........

AND, FINALLY,

please welcome to the world, our new grandson, Henry Jack who was born on the 23rd April 2011 at 1.20 p.m., the bouncing bundle of 9lb's 8 oz !! .......... I'm afraid that means I've got more celebrating to do !

    images 4, via the Daily Mail, image 5, via the wedding guys. all other images by me.

                                                 Jackie

A POST FROM COMPUTER REHAB !!!! ..........

2011-04-07T12:28:00.001+01:00

I am a shivering wreck.........the doctors are trying their hardest to get me back to something near to the woman that I once was !! I shall probably never be quite the same again and, they say that I shall probably never play the violin again......even though I couldn't play it before the computer trauma that I have been through !! haha.
Joking aside, I apologise for not visiting anyone for nearly a month. My computer threw a wobbly and I couldn't do anything and then, Blogger wouldn't let me load photographs.....it still isn't right now, but I did manage to load one photo.
Hopefully, I am nearly back on track and, with some R&R, I should be able to come off of the tablets within a year or two !! Hehe

PS..... the straight jacket comes off tomorrow. The nurse typed this for me !!

image - via squatlo-rant

MODERN TECHNOLOGY ..... GREAT WHEN IT WORK'S, RUBBISH WHEN IT DOESN'T !!!!

2011-03-11T09:42:00.000Z

After two weeks of being in the computer shop for repair, I thought that it was 'all system's go' again but, NO !!!! I went to write a new post, but my photographs will not load.....the add selected button will not work. Have any of you had this trouble ?............ HELP !!

THE PARTY'S OVER ..... IT'S TIME TO CALL IT A DAY .....

2011-02-28T16:13:00.001Z

It is now time to draw a line under my birthday. I have milked it for all it's worth and it's now time to call it a day. ......but, not before I tell and show you all, some of the things that I have been getting up to over the last month..........

First, it was dinner at ' The Sun ', a local restaurant ..........

Then, it was off to Harrods in London..........

We went straight to the Food hall and to ..........

The Champagne and Oyster Bar. We made the most of that stop and then it was off to The Royal Albert Hall.

We had tickets for the Cirque du Soleil.

Opposite the Royal Albert Hall is the Albert Memorial, built by Queen Victoria, in memory of her beloved husband. One of Mr. Home's relatives had something to do with the design or building of if but, I'm not sure which part he was involved in !!

I also went to see 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. It was brilliant..... funny, fantastic music, quite rude and a whole lot of fun.

Then, it was dinner at 'Brown's' ..... I won't bore you all with the finer details of all the meals that I have consumed over this past month.

Oh, another restaurant that I went to. This is Smiths of Smithfield. We went there with our children. It is one of John Torode's restaurants....he of Masterchef fame. It was lovely and had the most wonderful view of St. Paul's Cathedral and The City.

I then went to The Champagne Bar at King's Cross, St. Pancras. This was to start off a few days stay in London.

We stayed in an hotel very close to Buckingham Palace. It was just a short and lovely walk through Green Park to get to .....

...... The Ritz, for tea.

This was our waiter and the man sitting down to the right was there with his wife, for his 80th birthday !

They bring tea and sandwiches and the most delicious cakes you ever did see. The middle tier is empty and they bring warm scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam when you've finished your sandwiches. They are the most wonderful scones you have ever tasted in your life....and, I've tasted a few in my time !!

They then surprised me with a birthday cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday !!

Said cake is then put in a beautiful 'The Ritz' box for one to carry home. How lovely was that ?

As we were so close, we thought that we would just pop into Fortnum and Mason. I used to work in this area and always went into Fortnum and Mason to buy Christmas present's, especially for my Mum and Dad.

We finished that day off by seeing 'Wicked' at The Apollo.

Had to go and have a look at Anthropologie of course.

The wall's are a living wall of lush, green plants.....

.......... it is just worth going there for the displays alone.

Back at the hotel, it was time to get ready to go .....

Back past Buckingham Palace ( with a little wave to Her Majesty as we passed !!)

down a little Mayfair cul-de-sac to .....

* The Icebar * !!

Self explanatory, I think !!

Cocktail's in ice glasses ....

That's me in the cape that they give you to keep the chill off.....and gloves that are on elastic, just like you had when you were little, to hold your glass with. Not the most flattering of outfits but, nessessary ! It was great fun and we met lots of people from all over the world.

Then, down to the restaurant, 'Below Zero' to have dinner.

Well, I'm partied out for another year..... although, maybe just one more glass of Champagne wouldn't hurt !!

image 1 - via visualize.Us, image 36 - via go london, image 37 - via daily news, image 39 by Daniel Jackson..... all other images by me.

DISTRESSED SHUTTER'S ARE A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND ..........

2011-02-14T23:48:00.000Z

Now, I'm probably going to lose a lot of my followers when you find out what one of my birthday presents was.
Many women would be yearning for diamonds, a little something in gold, a designer handbag, a holiday in Tuscany or the like but, what did I have ? ......... a pair of weathered, distressed, grey/blue French shutters !!!!
I came downstairs on my birthday, and there they were.
Mr. Home had got them all on his own..... and, they are not the easiest present to hide !!!! It would have been a lot easier if I had wanted an eternity ring !! haha.

Peeling grey/blue paint, rusty hinges and latches ........ perfect. I LOVE them.

..... AND .....

....... look what I managed to do ..... all by myself.....without the help from any member's of my family.... nor friend's......or neighbours..... or wine ..... A COLLAGE !!!!
I am very pleased with myself ..... all of this from a 60 year old ....even though I now haven't a clue where all of my photographs have gone or how to retrieve them. ha ha.

........ and finally, I must thank each and everyone of you for your lovely comments and birthday wishes......they made my birthday even more special so many, many thanks.

.....and, a very special thank-you to my Aussie mate Mill's of The Laurel Hedge.

Millie wrote a special birthday post, just for me, which is going way above and beyond the duties of a blogger and is such a kind, and special thing to do so many, many thanks Mill's.

and also to the lovely Deej of Dustjacket Attic who did another very personalised and beautiful birthday post for my big 6-0.

You're a couple of great Aussie girls to do that for me. I am very flattered.

I am off to London tomorrow, for a couple of days, to celebrate some more of my birthday.....London Style.

I'll tell you what I got up to when I return .

OMG.....60 TODAY !!!!!

2011-02-01T09:01:00.000Z

Well..... what can I say.....I have reached the ripe old age of 60 !!!! I actually don't believe it and must check my birth certificate.....perhaps my mum and dad got the date wrong 'cos, I'm sure, at the most, I'm only 30..... but then, that can't be right because I have children of that age !!!! Oh well......60 it is and I shall embrace it with as much alcohol as I can !!!! I have taken a quick photo this morning, as the one on my profile was taken at our son's wedding and that was a couple of years ago now. Can't be pulling the wool over your eyes now, can I ? This one is nicely out of focus which, when you get to my age , is a neccessity !!!!

I was going to say 'here's to the next 60 years' but that's not possible so, here's to many, many more years of fun and laughter and good times, not just for me but for all of us.

CHEER'S !!!!!!

A CONSERVATION AREA, A PUB AND A SUNDAY LUNCH ..........

2011-01-24T23:54:00.001Z

When I was a child, many, many years ago in a galaxy far, far away !!!! this would have been the scene on a Sunday at lunch time, with Mum and Dad on the other side of the table. Don't get me wrong.....it's not a criticism.....Sunday lunch was always delicious and probably the best meal of the week. This then became a Sunday ritual when I got married and had children, but now they are grown up and have their own Sunday lunches so, together with friend's, Mr. Home and I can often be found having our Sunday lunch cooked for us in some pub of another.

Yesterday was one such Sunday and it was the turn of The Albion to be graced with our presence.

The Albion is a Georgian pub where regulars would take an afternoon stroll,out of the city and call in for a drink and a bite to eat.

Situated just behind bustling Upper Street in the centre of Islington, London, in the beautiful Barnsbury conservation area, it won the 'Observer Food Monthly award' for 'Best Sunday Lunch 2009' and is one of the Independent's ' Top 50 Sunday Lunch Venues' and The Guardian's ' Best Pub's in the UK'.

We all had the 30 Day Prime Rib Steak .......... it was divine !!

After eating a plateful that even Henry V111 would be proud of, all washed down with a couple of glasses of red wine, it is appropriate to have a stroll around the area and have a good old nose at the gorgeous Georgian houses..........

There are one after the other of beautiful Georgian homes, all preserved beautifully, and , although quite modest in size, are WAY out of our price range !! Because of where they are they are all well into the millions of ££££'s.......... lots of millions of ££££'s !!

I don't think that he was very happy that I was taking a photograph of his house !!!!

The Drapers Arm's is another pub in the same area which, I feel sure, will be getting a visit from us in the not too distant future !!

After all of that food, drink and strolling, a little lie down was called for .......... I feel a week of salads coming on !!

image 1 - flickr, image 6 - via plumb interior design, image 7- Michael Franke, image 9 - via thirtyoneseventyfive, image 23 - Agata Stoinska.

All other photographs by me.

NEW YEAR ..... OLD ME !! ..........

2011-01-11T14:25:00.004Z

So, we are well into January now, the excesses of the season are over and it's back to the old routine for us all and, maybe time to take stock for some..........

The old year was rung out and the New Year rung in, ( with the help of our son of course !!!! Brag, brag . I shall probably use every opportunity to sneak that in where I can !.....haha ) .........

The members of the Windsor family are ensconced in Buckingham Palace arranging some major event ..... I think that I heard something about a little wedding in the not too distant future !! .......... Kate is probably Googling everything from wedding dresses to wedding venues as we speak .......... NOT !!!!!!

I'm not one for New Year's resolution's or change so .......... I will not be giving up wine, no matter what colour it is ..........

I shall not be cutting my hair short, even though I probably should at my age ( big birthday coming up in a few weeks ). I have had long, straight hair virtually all of my life and, I don't know what I would do with it if it was short !! ..........

I shall not be giving up chocolate either ..........

That's how much I love chocolate ..........

I shall not be increasing the amount of exercise that I do anytime soon ..... perhaps a few arm exercises with a wine bottle in each hand and a walk to the pub now and again !! ..........

Shopping will be increased according to how the recession is going ..........

This is my newest purchase ..... All Saints Military jacket bought in the sale ..... All Saints is my second home. I am usually All Saintsed up from head to toe ..... if any owners of All Saints are reading this, feel free to offer me any freebies for my loyalty and my constant throwing of ££££££'s your way.

................ and finally I will leave you with this little conundrum ( which has got nothing to do with anything really !!) ..........

Why is it that, whenever I go into the bathroom I am greeted with the above ? Does it happen to you ?!!! It's rather odd that, the most intelligent of people do not have the ability to change the toilet roll !!!! Do you think that their brains have had a toilet roll changing by-pass ?

image 1 - Willie Vanderperre, image 2 - Bruno Vincent, image 3 - Robin Wood, image 4 - Rilrae, images 6, 7, 8, 9 - visualize.us, image 10, 12, 13 - we heart it, image 11 - All Saints

REPRISE OF LAST POST........2011 .......... HERE'S TO A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR ..........

2011-01-04T13:34:00.002Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Here's to a wonderful 2011, filled with everything that you wish for.

Please indulge me in a boastful moment,..... the fireworks in London were the best EVER......and our son mixed and produced all of the music that accompanied them !!!! It was the first time that London had music with the firework display, which made it even more special We are very proud of him.

Well done Daniel.....you did a great job.

In my excitement, I deleted the whole of this post and had to redo it......I lost all of your lovely comments so, if you have a spare moment, feel free to re-comment, as I know that Daniel would love to read them !!!!

image - Reuters

IT CAME, IT SETTLED..... and, IT'S MAGICAL ..........

2010-12-22T01:24:00.001Z

SNOW !!!!! .......... within half and hour, the whole of the UK was covered in at least six inches of snow. Cars and people were stranded, trains and buses were cancelled.........we were supposed to have been going into London for dinner for our daughter-in-law's birthday, but there weren't any trains, Heathrow is at a standstill and many people are still trying to get home BUT, come and see how pretty it looks where I live .......... I'll clear up all that snow in our lounge later !! haha ..........

Mr Home and I went out for a walk , it was a long walk, hence the amount of photographs !! There were more but I have spared you !!........ this is our road, with the cemetery on the right......... into the cemetery..........

Doesn't it look beautiful ? I always thing that the bottle-shaped yew trees are like something from Alice in Wonderland. They look as if they might just come to life ..........

Down past the Council Offices. The tower is Victorian and the building next to it was built in the last ten years, and they mirrored the windows and shapes of the old Victorian building.

Opposite and built into the wall are these steps. These were to help people get onto the carriages in the 16th, 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.

Into St Mary's church ..........

Past Church House ..........

This is the entrance to the park, opposite the church,

An iconic English postbox ..........

Round to the back of the church,

a front door looking festive, that we walked past ..........

We are expecting more snow over the next few days so, it looks as if we could be having a white Christmas which will be perfect. Back to my Christmas decorating and wrapping and cooking. Enjoy your preparations.

image 1 - via design wonderland, image 31 - Alessandra Ambrosio via Google, all other images by ME !!

PANIC STATIONS !!!! ..........

2010-12-15T10:52:00.002Z

Well, as usual, I start off really well with my Christmas preparations, and usually, by the beginning of December, most things have been done........ and then I find that it's mid December, and those last minute things are piling up..........

The tree has been bought but is still in the back garden ..........

I should be at the above stage, with baubles and decorations down from the loft and decorating said tree with carefree abandon but ..........

it looks more like this !!!!

These are some of my Christmas cards, all written I'm pleased to say but ...........

they are sitting on my desk, still not posted !!

No baking has been done, as I keep eating all of the raw ingredients !!!!

.......... and, we are expecting lots and lots more snow in the next few days, lasting until next year apparently so, there is every chance that the last of my online purchases are not going to be delivered !!!! Also, I was out to lunch on Monday.....and yesterday and I've got to go out to lunch today as well and a few more times next week !!
So, here is a little Christmas inspiration for you and for me and, hopefully, by the end of this week, our home will be looking festive, and we can begin to enjoy the magic that is Christmas.

I am hoping to enlist the help of some Christmas fairies to assist me in the last minute rush !! Does anyone know where I could find a few ?

images.... 1 - via Tiny White Daisies, 2 - via Holiday Haven, 3 - via KaliCartel, 4 - Lucyina Moodie, 5 & 9 - Vintage-Kompagniet, 6 - Jeanne d'Arc Living, 7, 11 & 14-we heart it, 8 - Alicja Rodzig, 10 - Camel & Yak, 12 & 13 - via Vintage Rose Garden.

THERE'S SNOW PLACE LIKE HOME .......... Ho Ho Ho..........

2010-12-03T14:54:00.005Z

The whole of the UK is covered in a blanket of snow and we are experiencing Arctic conditions........and, when this happens, everything comes to a grinding halt and, havoc ensues !! I, for one, hibernate close to the fireside, drinking tea, coffee, hot chocolate during the day, soup for lunch and then move on up to wine in the evening !! Life stands still somewhat while we keep warm and think about Christmas.

This gorgeous Georgian house ( somewhat out of focus I'm afraid ) is the home to offices now, but what a lovely place to work..........

This is St, Mary's church, just around the corner to where we live. It was built in 1418 and contains Cromwell's family vault. A medieval stone coffin was recovered from the church in 1872, when it was found being used, inverted, as a doorstep !!!!

This is the entrance to the cemetery, located in my road. I find cemeteries really interesting ..... make of that what you will !!!! ..........

Here is the view from my landing......you can just about make out the snow ..........

Seedheads in our garden ..........

On Monday, I went out for lunch with the girls ( I do venture out sometimes when it snows ). I took this and the next four shots from the back seat of my friend's car ( I was lucky not to be the driver and polished off a bottle of Sauvingon Blanc at lunch !! ). We drove through Epping Forest and it looked so beautiful........... much more beautiful than a couple of snaps taken whilst going at speed !
Epping Forest was where Henry V111 and Elizabeth 1st hunted and, the highwayman Dick Turpin had a hideout there. It is also very popular with murderers as a place to hide a body unfortunately.

There are still traces of Autumn leaves left on the trees .........

Well, I shall away in my beautiful sleigh, to buy Christmas pressies, higher tog duvets, hot water bottles and a crate of red wine.

It's freezing.

image 1 - Esmahan Ozkan, 2-4 County website, images 5-12 by me, last image - The Snow Queen from Narnia

TANTALIZING TICKING ..........

2010-11-29T12:15:00.000Z

Isn't ticking lovely ? I haven't got any in our home, but I really must rectify that situation as it's such a fresh look.

I've got the white pillow with ties ..........

I've have the white shabby mirror ..........

I have the chest of drawers ..........

I have the straw shopper ..........

.......... the vintage cases ..........

.......... the luggage labels ..........

.......... the black and white framed photographs ..........

.......... and even the brass bed but, not a stitch of ticking has entered our house. I think that I shall make it my mission (if I choose to accept it ) to bring a little ticking into our home. How about you, or have you beaten me to it ?

images 1 & 12 - Peacock Blue, 2- Living etc, 3- Country Living, 4,5 & 7 - Jigsaw, 6, & 13 -Toast, 8 - Divine Interiors and Gifts, 9 & 10- Forest Bound, 11- Martha Stewart.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ..........

2010-11-25T12:25:00.001Z

Wishing all of my friends from the States a wonderful Thanksgiving. May you, your families and everyone around your tables, eat, drink, enjoy and be thankful.

Image via two peas in a bucket

COTE BASTIDE and CABBAGES and ROSES..........

2010-11-18T02:49:00.001Z

Some beautiful inspiration from Cote Bastide & Cabbages and Roses ..........

Linen Bag ..........

Scented candle..........

Cross pendant ..........

Enamel decorations ..........

Box of Potpourri ..........

Candle rods ..........

Stationery ..........

.........and, from Cabbages and Roses .......... cisp white linen ..........

and fabulous fabrics ..........

Here in the UK, Cote Bastide products can be found @ Bodie and Fou and, of course, Cabbages and Roses @ their website.

I may be absent for a while, as I have a virus on my computer and have to take it to that lovely man who charges me an arm and a leg to get rid of it !!

images 1-8 Cote Bastide
images 9-13 Cabbages and Roses