OCH AYE ..... I'M OFF TO EDINBURGH .....

We are off to Edinburgh, Scotland, for a few days so, I just thought that I'd let you know, in case you thought that I'd gone off of you, as I won't be commenting for a while. I get a touch of the guilt's when I don't comment. I wonder why that is ? I don't mind when you don't comment on mine, as I know that you are all busy and have many other commitments. I always feel mean, because I know that you have been to a great deal of trouble to write a post and therefore it deserves some recognition

Anyway, I digress.

See you all in a few days, with tales from Scotland.

Jackie

Oooops, ......I DID IT AGAIN ..........

Once again, I am filled with guilt and remorse, as I haven't thanked lots of wonderful people for their generosity and kindness. Over the last few months, I have won numerous giveaways and received a couple more awards. I apologise profusely and hope that you will all still play with me in the playground at lunchtime !! When my report comes from the Head Blogger.... he who must be obeyed .... it will say that she could do better !

The first giveaway that I won was this photograph from Cassia Beck Photography, entitled New Year in Paris. It was from the lovely Lynn @ Paris Hotel Boutique Journal
Lynn has an online shop and has been selling vintage and antiques for over 15 years. She has beautiful items and is, indeed, beautiful herself, inside and out. There is also fashion, searching for antiques and travel . Go over and see her and tell her I sent you.

The next giveaway that I won was from Michelle @ Petit Coterie

Michelle is so generous and kind. She has more giveaways than I've had hot dinners. Her giveaways are her own creations and are beautiful. She makes the BEST cushions. They are gorgeous and affordable..... I have quite a few ...... so go over and have a look. You wont be able to resist.

Next ..... OH YES !! THERE'S MORE !! ..... was this beautiful, gorgeous, feminine, softest pink scarf from the amazing Janet @ French Blue
If you haven't been to Janet's blog then, you haven't lived !! I personally think that it is THE most beautiful blog in blogland. The images and text are stunning and she herself is kindness personified. It was one of the first blogs that I found and I'm so pleased that I did. Go and see and enjoy.

.......... oh, I forgot !! The giveaway was not only the scarf. First of all, it was wrapped SO beautifully, you would have thought that it was a present for The Queen of England herself ! Inside the box was a little top hat as, Janet knows I love top hats. Then, there was a Ralph Lauren canvas tote bag, that it HUMUNGOUS ! The scarf was in a beautiful bag and there was a delightfully written note on the most lovely card....... but, to top all of that, Janet had put in some old lace that was wrapped around a vintage piece of card and, slipped between the lace was the most gorgeous antique card of pink silk thread that Janet had got from Paris !!

I think it was at that point, a few tears welled up !

Next, yes, next, I've been very lucky, was from the Bon Bon Rose Girls.

It was from Modcloth and is the Madame Bovary Ring. I really do love fashion and have always tried to keep up with what is 'en vogue' so, I do know that, big rings are very much in fashion so, I am now up there with the best of them !!

The blog, Bon Bon Rose is fast, furious and fun. It is full of fashion and Kristin and Megan are always giving great stuff away. From jewellery to clothes and, much more. Go and have a look. You might get lucky.

Oh yes.......... there's more !!
From Anna @ Lona de Anna, I won four of the most delightful little books you ever did see. They are from Ariel Books and consist of,

A Little Book of Roses

An Angel is .....

Angels

Aromatherapy

Anna herself is studying Interior Design and her blog is inspirational. Image after image of beautiful interiors to look at and get ideas from.
Another gorgeous blog for you all to go and peruse.

I won the above from the painter, Fifi @ Fifi Flowers.
They are her frameable note cards. I had to send her my favourite image of Paris, and she would paint it and make it into note cards. Aren't they wonderful ?

This is the photograph I sent Fifi. Didn't she do a great job? If you want a painting done of any photograph you have or of anything, really, she will do it.

...... and finally, yes we have nearly finished, I won these cute little bird cage earrings from Federica @ Sweet as a Candy They are made by Christina @ Down and Out Chic. My daughter has already tried to prise these from me AND the scarf !!
Federica lives in Bologna Italy and studied law but is a wannabe decorator and fashion shopaholic. She shows the most wonderful interiors and you will love her. Recently engaged, she will be sharing her wedding plans with us soon........ they make the most beautiful couple too.

I have also been honoured by Anne @ Decor Naturel
She has bestowed upon me the Beautiful Blogger Award and I am truly honoured as her blog is indeed, beautiful. Anne shows all that is white and neutral ( it does what it says on the tin !! ). She loves Swedish, French Country and cottage gardens. Her taste is eclectic and she loves rooms to include many elements: neutral backdrops, aged furniture, objects d'art. I am quite new to Anne's blog but I already know that I love it. Go and be new too !!

Lastly but DEFINITELY not least, Kerry @ A Tranquil Townhouse gave me the above award. You really must go and see Kerry. She has the best sense of humour and will always make you smile. She has a cat called Buffy the Vampire Slayer who lives up to the name !! Go and make friend's with her, she is really good fun.


So, as I contemplate how to punish myself for such unforgivable rudeness, for being so late saying thank-you, I wish you all a wonderful and lucky weekend.

Oh, and although I did win rather a large amount of giveaways, please don't throw my name out if I enter one of yours, will you ? After all, all's fair in love and giveaways !!

P.S. I am the most RUBBISH blogger in the world. I meant to thank everyone who was kind enough to leave me a message and send me an email, enquiring how I was after my 'oyster incident '. You all gave me lots and lots of sympathy which helped enormously ! I am fine now thanks, and will probably eat them again, so don't be suprised if I get laid up again !!!!


Jackie

THE BOAT RACE ..........

Before I start, I would like you to know that you are lucky, or not so lucky, depending on whether you are interested or not, to have got this post !! I'll tell you why at the end.

The idea for a rowing race between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge came from two friends - Charles Merivale, a student at Cambridge, and his old schoolfriend, Charles Wordsworth (nephew of the poet, William Wordsworth) who was at Oxford. On the 12th of March, 1829, Cambridge sent a challenge to Oxford and thus the tradition was born, which has continued to the present day. This year's race was held last Saturday 3rd April. We have always supported Cambridge, as we live very near to Cambridge and my brother-in-law studied there.

The Oxford crew are always in dark blue and the Cambridge crew are in light blue. Cambridge hadn't won for the last two years, but are winning overall.

The race passes many London landmarks, one lesser known one is the Harrods Furniture Depository. It was built in 1894 and was the former warehouse of Harrod's Knightsbridge store. Today, it has been converted into 250 'posh' homes called ' Harrod's Village ', for the well-heeled.

Well, this year's race was very close but, Cambridge were victorious. They are now winning 80 to Oxford's 75. The race in 1877 was declared a dead heat. Apparently, the judge, 'honest John Phelps' had fallen asleep under a tree, supposedly drunk, so the race was declared a tie !!

This year's victorious Cambridge crew.

This year's devastated Oxford crew......... and, it is devastating, as they give up everything to train for this race and, most of them never get the chance again.

Tradition dictates that the cox of the winning team is thrown into the River Thames !!

An estimated quarter of a million people watched the race from the banks of the Thames with an overseas audience of 120 million, making it the most viewed single day sport in the world.

Right, now here is my post script. I have suffered the wrath of one of those slippery little devils called oysters. I love them but, over the weekend, one of them didn't like me, and I am writing this post in agony !!!!
I just wanted you all to know, mainly for a lot of sympathy, but also as an apology for not commenting much over the last few days.

I hope that you all had a better Easter weekend than I did,, and enjoyed yourselves.



Jackie

THE SECRET GARDEN ..........

I have found a key, so come with me and see if we can find my Secret Garden ..........

.......... along the path ..........

.......... through the greenery ..........

.......... it must be around here somewhere .........

Ah, there's the door .........

It's very overgrown ..........

Oh, this is better, how pretty is this ?

Even the women are beautiful in this garden !!

Tea anyone ?

image by photographer Mustafa Hacalaki

Collect yourselves some fireflies ..... it's getting dark ..........

Now, where's that gate gone ..... I've got to get home.
Here in the U.K., we had a taste of Spring BUT apparently, rain and even snow are coming again so, images of beautiful gardens are all I have at the moment !






If you are having wonderful weather, enjoy your gardens. If not , start planning it !!




Image 16: photograph by Mustafa Hacalaki




Jackie

THE DELICIOUS MISS DAHL ..... bear with me, you non-chefs, there's a lovely white house in this !!!! ..........

Tuesday evening saw the start of a new cookery programme, featuring Sophie Dahl, grand-daughter of Roald Dahl.

Is Sophie the new Nigella ?....the new sex- kitten on the butcher's block ? She confesses that she has been a yo-yo dieter and has been 'as round as Ruben's' and 'a little slip of a thing'.When you see the menu that she cooked in her first programme, entitled ' A Purely Selfish Day', I think that maybe the Ruben's look is on the cards !! Her first menu racked up several thousand calories and, used rather expensive ingredients.

Her day begins at breakfast, a good place to start, with her take on an Arnold Bennett omelette. Arnold Bennett was an English novelist and theatre critic who frequented The Savoy Hotel Grill on a regular basis in the 1920's and put his name to this smoked haddock, cheese and creme fraiche omelette. Sophie shows us how to make this adding this wide-eyed afterthought ' I can't remember the first time when I had Arnold Bennett'.......... get the picture ? She prepares Peanut Butter Fudge for a mid-day snack (have you seen the size of this woman- she is soooo slim !!).......... Next comes a Buffalo Mozzarella Bruschetta with shaved fennel and courgette salad for lunch. You can imagine the double entendres when the mozzarella makes its appearance !!

Finally, it's dirty martini's (the dirty bit is a spoonful of juice from the olive jar) and a dinner of Roasted Halibut with Spinach and Watercress Sauce followed by Rich Chocolate Pots with Brandy soaked Cherries !!

Between courses, we get to see Sophie shopping in Cheese shops and searching out antiques and little bits of shabby chic for her 'pretend' house !!

Although we could probably do without another cookery programme, I actually rather liked it. Sophie Dahl is very likeable and, as a fan of Nigella, I like her sensual presentation skills ! ......... but, I think that the main reason I liked it was for the house that they are using for the series..........

The house that was used is located in Crouch End in London, a very trendy area where many actors and musicians live and a lot of yummy mummies !! The house is currently for sale for £1.45 million !! It belongs to photographer Paul Massey.

This is the kitchen where you see Sophie cooking. It has been dressed up for the programme with shabby chic paintings and little touches of Victoriana.

Here are some other rooms in the house ..........









Isn't it gorgeous ? If I had a cool £1.45 million spare, I would be onto the estate agents in a flash.
Sophie Dahl recipes can be found on the BBC web site. I'm not sure what she will be cooking next week, but, lets hope it's slightly more healthy !!


Have a delicious weekend.




Jackie