Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show

Once again we are pleased to be able to attend the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show this weekend. This is an event not to be missed by steam enthusiasts and, apart from many attractions in the arena and side shows, there is a wonderful Craft marquee with a superb variety of stalls. details can be found on the website:

Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show

We will of course be bringing our range of stock from tea-light holders and scarves to wonderful pieces of sterling silver jewellery.

Remember -  July birthstone is the Ruby and August birthstone is the Peridot and we will have both these gemstones available while stocks last as well as all the birthstones for other months. However if you are looking for that little extra something for a friend or loved one we are sure we can provide exactly what you need.

We are now developing a reputation as a  New Forest business for providing specialist quality items and you will not be disappointed when you visit us this weekend.

As a special show offer on Friday and Saturday we have 10% off all sterling silver items with a special end of show offer on Sunday.

xx

Old Friends

Someone once said that a woman needs five sorts of different friends. Unfortunately I can’t remember the categories - it went something like a new friend, an old friend, a friend you can call on in time of need etc etc.

This is a photo of a meeting I had with some very old friends - though we’re not THAT old yet girls! I have known one or two of these ladies since I was seven years old and the others I met through them when I was a teenager - we used to meet up every Saturday night at each other’s houses from the ages of about 14 to 18 and then we went our separate ways, though we still keep in touch one way or another. However we met at last a few days ago and here we are. Some of us haven’t seen each other for well over 30 years and it was as though all those years in between never existed  - we were still the girls we always were.

I guess we age outwardly but on the inside we’re always the same as we always were.

Here’s to the next 30 years - though maybe we won’t leave it as long next time.

See you soon.

xx

Midsummer

It’s a little late - as I’ve been very busy this week - but Happy Midsummer’s Day.

This is sunset on June 21st.

See you soon.

xx

New Stock arriving

Hi Everyone,

I know some of you wanted to know about my new stock before it actually arrived so that you could get to choose before I sell out:

Please let me know as soon as possible if you want an item and I will put it aside for you.

See you soon.

xx

Crocheting with Colour

I love to surround myself with colour!

When I was a teenager I made this blanket for myself and it kept me warm during long nights studying at university when we had power cuts - those were the days!

When I was clearing my parent’s house ready to sell it last year, I came across my blanket and brought it home with me. My eldest son had ‘flu and wrapped himself up in it and then wanted one of his own so I took up my crochet hook and made another one:

I tried to make it ‘boy’ colours but my colour palette is so varied I hated making the blanket dull - I hope it’s not too girlish - anyway my son seems to like it, he says it’s a work of the heart.

Then of course I had to make a blanket for my youngest son which is still not finished. I had to make it different but not too different.

What do you think?

See you soon.

xx

Hot Weather - Lemonade Recipe

We have hot weather at long last in the UK -  definitely lemonade weather. I came across a wonderfully easy recipe a few years back. You will need a blender.

Ingredients

1 Lemon

Sugar to taste

Water to taste

Lots of ice cubes.

Method

Cut up the lemon leaving the skin on and put in the blender.

Add about a tablespoon of sugar (to begin with)

Add three cupfuls of water (to begin with)

Add a large handful of ice cubes.

Blend and sieve the mixture and taste.

If the lemonade is not to your liking put the liquid back in the blender and add more sugar or water and blend.

You can adapt this recipe by removing the skin of the lemon if you wish.

Serve in tall glasses with slices of apple and sprigs of mint.

Enjoy

xx

Garden Pirate

I have a pirate in my garden - all she needs is an eye-patch. Without fail when I am sitting in my deckchair she will sit at my feet and when I get up she will take my place and then look at me disdainfully when I want my seat back.

When I open a can of tuna, no matter if she is nowhere to be seen, by the time the can is open she is at my feet.

Her latest requests involve me opening the door for her to go into the garden as she finds it too much trouble to use the cat-flap!

Pebbles is now 5 years old.

See you soon.

xx

Last Slam Door Trains

Many years ago I used to commute to work on these trains and gradually they were replaced by newer models and now there is only one place left in Britain where they run - on the Brockenhurst to Lymington Branch line. However progress has even overtaken them and on Saturday the last slam door trains will have their final run on the branch line.

So for nostalgia here are some photos of the trains:

See you soon.

Love Living Here

I visited the Shetland ponies in Brockenhurst yesterday. Usually Shetlands are vicious but this particular herd is quite amenable - I suppose they are used to people stroking them. I wouldn’t recommend stroking any ponies in the forest as they can bite and kick.

This Shetland pony herd has five foals this year and as usual they are gorgeous - the size of labrador dogs and smaller.

This little filly has a curly mane. She came up to me and was chewing my trousers. Her hooves measure about 3 inches wide and when she trod on my foot I could hardly feel it.

This is why I love living here.

xx

House Reflections

Sadly this is not the bathroom in my house. I came across this photo some time ago when I was surfing the web and I kept the image as I wanted to copy some of the details and apply it to my living space. Unfortunately I cannot remember where I got the original image (so I apologise if this is your image and I have used it on this site without permission).

Do you ever think…. ‘I would really like a room, window, trinket like that’…?

So what appeals to me about this particular bathroom ? I love the curtains and the towel rack; the mirror above the bath is such a wonderful piece and the whole ambience of the room gives a feeling of relaxation.

My bathroom meanwhile is about half the size, barely room to swing a cat - not Pebbles, but the view from from my window is lovely as it overlooks my back garden and I can see the birds in the trees when I’m in the bath.

One day when I get around to it I will redecorate and have a room like this.

See you soon.

xx