tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80745906066507223212012-01-26T20:14:06.827Zdo anything! (The not-so-secret diary of life and stuff in a hilltop town)trashnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-17976551906965480872012-01-22T15:24:00.000Z2012-01-22T15:24:03.919Z

Tonight we are off to the theatre. In fact we are off to a prestidigitacious extravaganza of trickery and japes. That is, a magic show. The winners of "Penn & Teller : Fool Us" are doing a UK tour that takes in a few teeny ween tiny winy village halls and one of them is just up the road from us. I am quite excited and should I not get turned into a rabbit or sawn in half I shall be back to tell

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-47576191629342518542012-01-20T09:44:00.002Z2012-01-20T09:44:22.851Z

... Clarissa the Kitchen Aid. She has just come to live here at my house this past weekend. We have been making her welcome and keeping her busy.

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-47880845218722156482012-01-10T23:01:00.002Z2012-01-10T23:04:14.645Z

... finding the right people can make all the big things in life so much easier to deal with. Friendship, it is what makes the world go around.

trashnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-64618191249882982382012-01-09T11:58:00.003Z2012-01-09T11:58:51.772Z

*today is my first day alone at home in months. CK has gone back to work. The children are at school. And I have no idea when the builders will be back. The quietness is weird. *I walked the dogs this morning and walked back up the hill with a friend and her dogs. *a neighbour has just offered me her no longer required fabric stash. I shall accept just as soon as I find somewhere to put it all. *

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-24876775282549586622012-01-05T21:22:00.000Z2012-01-05T21:22:06.544Z

During a recent IKEA trip my girl noticed this warning on a storage container. It seems someone else missed it.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-53290329129072626482012-01-01T19:39:00.000Z2012-01-01T23:52:32.500Z

My plan this year was to have a Christmas Tree filled with teeny weeny, tiny winy decorations in the new kitchen. (Did I mention already I got one of those? It was last year's present.) Well it didn't quite turn out that way. You see the tree was awfully big -7.8 feet tall - and the children took on the task of dressing it with only minimal interference from me, this meant that more were

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-8144060511104784352011-12-29T21:03:00.000Z2011-12-29T22:51:53.667Z

Christmas was spent sleeping, eating, reading, chatting and computerifacting depending upon who you were. CK and I did most of the sleeping while the kids did most of the rest. They both got little tablet PCs and didn't seem to notice the dozing parents. destructoBoy read two of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books on Christmas Day and had finished all six by the 28th. Sadly no snow yet this

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-78396229610654568522011-12-24T01:25:00.002Z2011-12-24T01:25:57.025Z

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-70349422642367970992011-12-18T01:20:00.000Z2011-12-20T00:08:44.891Z

The man delivered my 'Kitchen in a van' this week.  There were a lot of boxes arrayed around my kitchen arena, some were really long and skinny, some were quite dumpy and the piece of solid oak was 3m long by 1.2m across and fucking heavy. The lovely kitchen-fitter Matt came around on Thursday evening, finished laying the floor and had a look at the boxes. He came back Friday night and

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-72031417802126427422011-12-15T23:29:00.000Z2011-12-15T23:29:13.871Z

1. My kitchen was delivered in a van and the kitchen-making man says it should all be done by Saturday night. 2. My son sang a very cool solo during the school carol service. He did the first verse in Herod's song from the One Bright Star cantata. Imagine a really cool, swinging 1-2 beat - "There's one sovereign and that's me. The rules are made by my decree so what's this rubbish I hear today

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-34984487142915808532011-12-14T23:41:00.000Z2011-12-14T23:41:16.156Z

This is my new sofa. Notice my 40th birthday quilt is sitting happily draped over the arm? I quite like my sofa but with no reference it is tricksy to know scale. So.... ... this is what my sofa looks like with a "psuedo" sleeping 13 year old on it. and even greater example - couch with Assistant and 10 year old.  ___________________________________________________ I got

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-16172768587326595982011-12-11T21:57:00.001Z2011-12-11T22:49:08.329Z

Come see what is on the other side of my living room door. Not quite 12 months ago, last Christmas Day,  I was given the present of a kitchen.And not just a kitchen but the getting rid of the the manky skanky horrible mouldy old lean-to kitchen that had been the bane of my life for the past 13 years. See it really was icky, wasn't it? But not anymore. The flooring went in this weekend, most

trashnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-27345737349435899662011-12-08T20:59:00.001Z2011-12-09T00:18:31.391Z

Just recently I received an email from Julie inviting me to purchase one of her fabulous Little Cotton Rabbits. In fact I had been drawn out of the Bunny Raffle Hat to give Laramie a whole new adventure. I can't describe how excited I was.  Within days Smiley Carol's replacement had delivered a box. A box that was the perfect fit for a Little Cotton Rabbit. Especially a Little Cotton Rabbit

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-51040241198039266192011-11-28T09:24:00.001Z2011-11-28T09:25:46.042Z

Builder Jim is out there knocking a hole in what remains of my old kitchen wall. The two rooms are being joined today. We won't even mention a little bit the fact that no water pipes were run across the floor before the screed was laid down last week.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-39964625968196383522011-11-24T12:29:00.001Z2011-11-24T12:38:49.749Z

Breaking out into her teen years. Thrilled to receive a long-awaited book. Personalised Converse Breakfast cake and candles (Banana and white chocolate) Swish hat from bestest aunt Teatime cake (Choc mint roulade with choc mint filling). All in all I think it was a successful launch.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-61822543175171378752011-11-22T09:08:00.001Z2011-11-22T09:11:58.795Z

We now officially own a teenager. I might have mentioned once or twice before but I think this is one fabulous and amazing girl. Confident, clever, witty, sharp, compassionate, brave and the desire to travel fast and by means that terrify the crap out of her mother. I think I see motorbikes in our future. Happy Birthday beautiful girl.

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-71124732078755602011-11-21T20:28:00.001Z2011-11-21T20:45:51.402Z

I received one of the most exciting emails ever today. Julie let me know that I was the lucky name drawn out by the random number draw-er thingy. Once she has cleared passport control and got through her discussions with immigration officials (there are several counties between me and Julie) Laramie is going to dance her little apple green shoes all the way up here to the top of The Hill.

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-48202889258499238242011-11-19T08:04:00.001Z2011-11-19T22:13:51.143Z

It rained here a few weeks ago. I mean really rained. It was torrential. This was the day that Cappy and Barry came up to 'sort out' the drain. Part of living in a really old place on top of a really big hill is one has to live with really old infrastructure. All the pipes in this building, whatever they contain, go into one drainpipe. Which meant that the 'boys' had to dig through layers of

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-57163691175832145682011-11-09T14:44:00.003Z2011-11-09T14:44:28.934Z

I woke up in the early hours the other morning and I knew. The answer to the Christmas Tree dilemma. Rather than choosing into which room we put the a tree this year we will have two. I know. It seems obvious right? Two big(gish) reception rooms means two spots for festive festoonery but it was niggling at my internal perfectionist. (God alone knows it must be deeply internal bc I am buggered

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-73307339577587479872011-11-08T16:40:00.001Z2011-11-08T16:40:05.578Z

"Don't you think David Beckham is kind of creepy looking?" No darling, no I don't.

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-53772654713240760712011-11-08T00:16:00.002Z2011-11-08T00:16:25.345Z

The route map for the Olympic Torch's run has been published. Apparently it is to travel within 10 miles of just about every member of the Great British public. And those of us who happen to live here. Following the link on the news I clicked through to the map and timeline. There was much scrolling through and scanning of town names until I spotted it. My little Hilltop Town is playing

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-18081432365075956992011-11-06T00:01:00.000Z2011-11-06T00:17:11.498Z

This being England we had a week off a week or so back because nothing says commitment to education like having a holiday seven weeks into term. We spent the time hiding from the rain and watching the builders lash our new kitchen together. One night the kids and I had went on a date to see Johnny English (won't even mention my car dying as we turned into the parking space). One morning I was

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-82745068862271845432011-10-26T01:10:00.000+01:002011-10-26T01:10:06.142+01:00

I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it. One of the major stresses of this build so far for me has been the measuring. I have been responsible for ordering the doors, windows and rooflights. These make up a HUGE percentage of the exterior of the building. The lanterns alone take up 4.5 square metres. There are nights I have lain awake calculating and recalculating the numbers. When

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-59974189428443065742011-10-24T21:30:00.001+01:002011-10-24T21:30:37.811+01:00

Back at the beginning of October I came up with THE BEST idea for a birthday present EVER! So for the last few weeks Princess Curly Wurly has been playing on the Converse website designing her very own Ox Star Players. There has been much hilarity and squealing as she played with all of the bazillion different colours and patterns available. Then this weekend it was crunchtime. Unlike her

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-90373480103859049442011-10-22T20:57:00.001+01:002011-10-22T20:57:24.182+01:00

Source: geekinheels.com via Lisa on Pinterest

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-6047629057583511812011-10-20T09:19:00.001+01:002011-10-20T09:19:26.405+01:00

Heavy post title huh? But I saw pictures on a blog the other day that I knew within a millisecond would gladden the heart of a blogfriend on the other side of the world so I sent him the link. I was right, he did love the crafty goodness I pointed at him and told me he had favourited the site. Now I want to share this ace piece of info with the friend who lead me to the pictures but I don't

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-11986579396082160232011-10-13T14:54:00.000+01:002011-10-13T15:19:07.629+01:00

While on our walk this morning My Assistant chased a cat. Very fast. She came back. Eventually. Things could have turned out so much worse.

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-85448599524479958712011-10-13T01:07:00.001+01:002011-10-13T01:07:31.444+01:00

Saturday is a big day at Sylv's house. Thought a bouquet of these might add to the undoubtedly elegant and stylish venue she will have created. Good luck Sylv.

trashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-4469633929802726492011-10-11T20:56:00.001+01:002011-10-11T20:57:27.969+01:00

Another win at Posh Yarns this weekend. Oh yes indeed. Yarn Details:Rosalind Aran, aran weight 80% superfine alpaca / 20% silk, 180 yards (165m) per 100g

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-37610331351986724652011-10-09T22:38:00.000+01:002011-10-09T22:38:32.888+01:00

My mother pushed him out of his chair last time they were in the UK (not that they were travelling together you understand). However he picked himself up and went on to design a rather smart man-oriented fabric line. It is good to see someone make good. ;-)

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-20699214430017258242011-10-06T23:58:00.001+01:002011-10-06T23:58:24.571+01:00

with all of those people bothering him all the time. Do you think he operates some sort of 'take a ticket' scheme?

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-61976504889585320412011-10-06T00:46:00.000+01:002011-10-06T00:46:09.961+01:00

"You know, I think I could drive that."

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-90917677625468227672011-10-05T23:33:00.004+01:002011-10-05T23:56:33.129+01:00

Was sitting here browsing online patterns for bag daughter might take to Paris in 10 days  ' being an 'on the ball building project manager' and cross referencing builder's measurements with joinery quote when suddenly there was some aggressive tapping sounds followed by grainy tumbling noises. These were quickly drowned out by the ominous crashing sound of bricks from my back wall falling to

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-17555692614203249972011-10-03T22:13:00.000+01:002011-10-03T22:13:10.752+01:00

There was growing. At the start of the season we planted up the Lower 40 and promptly left it alone - the ultimate in organic gardening if you will. For some unfathomable reason Physalis grew. I wish they had ripened.

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-56553749673457478442011-10-02T20:25:00.001+01:002011-10-02T20:26:53.788+01:00

 I have been enjoying somewhat of a knitting frenzy over the Summer holidays just past. There were several successful Sunday nights over at Posh Yarns and even more amazingly, there were knitting completions. Lace and cables if you don't mind. Sometimes even on the same scarf!   Princess C-W was quite taken with all of this finishing amazement and requested to knit some wristwarmers. I gave

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-38001716450503273742011-10-01T23:52:00.000+01:002011-10-01T23:53:16.133+01:00

On returning from my regular post-school drop-off dog walk My Assistant and I found Cappy had placed the post inside the house for me. There was a parcel with my name on it. A HUGE soft and squooshy parcel. So we took it out into the sunshine to open it. Oooo look! There are munkehs poking out. Looking at the background I think they are planning on helping Cappy and Barry with the build.

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-82675341588442525942011-09-24T16:07:00.000+01:002011-09-24T16:07:39.296+01:00

After receiving this morning's post it seems we have indeed got one. Well, at least we are 97% sure. A quote came back from the local branch of a national builder's merchants I had visited last week. Not only are the cupboard fronts wood rather than foiled MDF but it came in cheaper than the big national chains. Yay! So before they closed at 12 today we went for a second look. It is a

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-60437759385975845492011-09-23T13:14:00.001+01:002011-09-26T15:10:40.165+01:00

I received a text and an email from the very lovely Katy at I'm a Ginger Monkey yesterday letting me know that my 40th birthday quilt had entered the home straight and was galloping up the flat with just a few more jumps left. She even included a picture of it all quilted up by the talented Chris.If you would just care to tilt your head or your laptop screen you could even see it the right way

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-38865571843137640512011-09-20T15:09:00.000+01:002011-09-20T15:09:04.726+01:00

While recognising there is very little to choose between them I remain at a loss as to what kitchen to go for. This one or this one. Both are from the same High Street DIY chain, one is wood and veneer, one is covered MDF. And then there are these ones. All of them with cup handles like Mr Oleson's store in Little House on the Prairie. (But you have to imagine this one in a stoney grey

trashnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-72330115566865784612011-09-15T21:40:00.000+01:002011-09-15T21:41:16.913+01:00

                        Because I am a terrier. And all 18 cubic tonnes of topsoil are mine. And I am going to sit on top of this 20 foot long by 10 foot wide by five foot tall pile and never go in for my tea again and you can't make me.                                           Fine. But you can't make me go in the house.

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-90899813273834029652011-09-13T23:19:00.000+01:002011-09-13T23:19:48.791+01:00

... or ... What do you do when you find that the 'free to good home' apples you picked up from someone's doorstep are bruised and holey and sooooo sharp that just smelling them makes your tongue dry up? Well, you make Dorset Apple cake!

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-87048366349615414952011-09-06T10:40:00.003+01:002011-09-06T10:49:50.347+01:00

Since Blogger hates me and I can't upload pics of my evergrowing new kitchen let me just say- birthday cake for breakfast is the bomb.- the brand new ten year old who lists a 'Smith' dog made by his sister in his top two presents is fabulous.- the nearly 13 yo who sewed like a champ and made a 'Smith' for her brother is also fairly amazing.- scoring in the Posh Yarns Sunday night sale is always a

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-90479080089390826122011-08-24T12:21:00.007+01:002011-08-24T18:46:51.728+01:00

'Cappy' has left at lunchtime today. He is a good and kind big brother who is taking his sister into the hospital for tests. He gets big brownie points from me for doing so. Until he left everyone was busy, busy, busy. 'Cappy' has been breaking up chunks of concrete while 'Barry' has been throwing them into the back of the truck all morning and lovely ChristhePlumber has juryrigged my washing

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-84020665044163050492011-08-22T14:52:00.010+01:002011-08-22T21:30:57.003+01:00

I had assumed that the 'D' in my D Day stood for Demolition. It is rash to make assumptions. In fact one might say it is tempting fate. Turns out it actually stands for Disaster. As in - * spending much of the previous night waking at regular intervals bc your inner alarm clock knows you have to be up and dressed and ready for the onslaught of builders at an ungodly hour. I saw 0130, 0317,

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-37236812623610675832011-08-21T17:54:00.007+01:002011-08-21T20:39:44.658+01:00

Tomorrow morning at 8am the men turn up. They are coming to tear this down and dig this up. Over the next 12 weeks that falling down wood panel fence will be magically transformed into the back wall of my new kitchen. From the red brick wall to the edge of what is currently a window frame will be the laundry and the loo. And looking down the drive will be a mahoosive floor to ceiling window.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-4189231297730630072011-08-09T22:38:00.007+01:002011-08-10T10:16:45.986+01:00

... discussed with the vet the fatal chocolate toxicity level in small black dogs. Again. ... watched 'Bridesmaids' and enjoyed it. Loved that the women in it looked like real women. Also loved 'Sookie' in such a different role. ... finished a lace scarf. Yay me! ... packed my daughter up and drove her to Scout Camp. ... counting down the days until she comes home. ... escalated a complaint

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-34176466870017354162011-08-01T00:31:00.002+01:002011-08-01T00:35:11.099+01:00

We went to Bath on Friday. In passing we looked at the Habitat closing down forever sale. Few items were left, even fewer we actually wanted however there were boxes of white crockery. 12 pieces for £12. Two sets of that would do quite nicely in my shiny new kitchen. One to use and one for spares. £24 for two table services, seemed reasonable. We walked around the store some more, toyed with the

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-18034604539179028902011-07-26T08:18:00.002+01:002011-07-26T08:25:08.363+01:00

Huzzah! Birthday handover completed.CK now proud owner of 'Plane socks', completed after 20 months of knitting.They are black and knit only.I should be embarrassed it took so long but quietly I am quite chuffed.Happy BIG birthday CK :-)

trashnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-8040348015913203632011-07-22T12:16:00.002+01:002011-07-22T12:19:59.850+01:00

What a woman looks like on the inside when she says"Fine!" during a discussion with her partner.Source: owlpages.com via Trash on Pinterest

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-84019162202273395692011-07-21T22:36:00.007+01:002011-07-21T22:52:28.936+01:00

I read Fox's Lane's post today. It resonated. I left the following comment."For 17 years I have been walking my dogs across the hilltop of my town and each time I take at least a few minutes to take in the beauty of the view, imagine those who have walked that same hilltop during past millenia, watch the trees being moved by everything from gentle Summer breezes to bitter, snow-filled gales. Each

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-7948208317770487342011-07-17T14:50:00.003+01:002011-07-17T15:00:41.804+01:00

(Having made an origami waterbomb the trick was to fill and launch it before her brother's suspiscions were aroused.)With the school year only a week away from its end we all mooched around the house yesterday in various states of exhasution and done-inness.Princess C-W was regaling me with stories from her week - who she spoke with, who was uncool right now, whether she preferred being a '

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-69570401184215189372011-07-12T23:02:00.003+01:002011-07-12T23:10:47.099+01:00

I have fallen in love with this idea. I think it clever, looks smart and is exceptionally fabulous. CK remains unconvinced about having the ENTIRE floor pennified but has had a lovely time claculating the cost of the floor per square metre, the quantity required, and what how many would be need if two pence pieces were used instead because, as we all know, they are twice the diameter of a penny

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-3372710280609093712011-07-11T11:48:00.002+01:002011-07-11T11:59:44.960+01:00

In two weeks CK is hitting a BIG birthday. To celebrate the four of us are going to have two nights in London while someone looks after the dogs.This weekend he asked me what we were going to do. What? Apparently part of his present is that I organise the intinerary - GULP?!?!?!?The first day isn't so bad as it involves travel and then mooching through Science and Natual History Museums. Unsure

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-25268599736330798922011-07-06T11:59:00.004+01:002011-07-06T12:04:10.461+01:00

In the last two days I have dealt with financial advisors and financial matters in an effective and (vaguely) professional manner, organised holiday get togethers for destructoBoy so that when his sister is at Scout Camp he has something to do AND I have instructed a builder!!!!! Yes I have! There will actually be real live building work taking place at my house this Summer. Oh! And OH!

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-20521680729029457942011-07-04T14:42:00.004+01:002011-07-04T14:58:58.077+01:00

Last night I was sitting quietly on the couch, scrolling through Pinterest and letting slip the occasional giggle. CK looked across at me and "You're starting to get excited about 'The Kitchen' again." "Huh?" (flick, pin, click, type, pin, click, flick.) "You are looking at interiors and designs for the new space again. You haven't done that for a few months since things started getting bogged

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-60154150637926471232011-06-27T00:15:00.003+01:002011-06-27T00:19:05.150+01:00

... please excuse my inattention and absence from blogs. Pinterest has a deep hold on me and it is one I am unwilling to slip away from. Regards, trash

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-44669935234750011712011-06-24T23:28:00.005+01:002011-06-25T14:07:02.914+01:00

Such was our delight at seeing a clear sky after so many days of rain My Assistant and I set off on our regular morning walk with extra cheeriness.Heading away from destructoBoy's school we skirted around the bottom of The Hill past the Community Field. The ducks seem to have left for new homes but the bleating of lambs made up for it.In the shade of the mature hedgerows the full deliciousness of

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-84198879999253544032011-06-19T20:07:00.003+01:002011-06-19T20:13:48.251+01:00

Not that there are any pictures (camera battery dead) but this afternoon I made real live fresh pasta. Some of which I turned into ravioliat CK's request and some that we cut into taglietelle.It was the first time in a million months I haven't acually made pasta sauce but I absolve myself bc, you know, I made pasta and then turned it into ravioli.I hope the effort is rooly trooly appreciated

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-6239189855713615262011-06-15T21:32:00.002+01:002011-06-15T21:33:48.072+01:00

Have been sorting through old paper pics recently.Threw out a MAHOOSIVE number of prints and negatives.Kept some to be gifted to the person in the picture. Others because they spoke to my heart.Boats on the water appeal to my flight instinct. There seems to be an inherent freedom to them even when anchored has been weighed.These pictures where all taken a bazillion years ago in the early '90s. I

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-51042717390082506112011-06-14T23:37:00.005+01:002011-06-14T23:48:12.540+01:00

From thisto this.Feels like she is able to float now.

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-56975116825296424542011-06-13T18:35:00.004+01:002011-06-13T18:48:18.614+01:00

Following on from Kipling's dogs I explained to the kids tonight over dinner about 'six degrees of separation'.They were quite excited when they figured out they were only three degrees away from these two.This flurry of excitement and hilarity saw them keep trying to figure out connections AND got the dishes done without any fuss.A definite win I say!(and also - isn't that a gorgeous image?

trashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-64455617329669192372011-06-12T23:36:00.009+01:002011-06-13T00:31:44.171+01:00

A third of the way from the top the trees bend in and meet, dappling the cobbled path that clings to the side of the hill. Walking with the dogs down to the car I smiled and politely said 'Good Morning' to the elderly woman coming toward me. My Assistant had just disgraced herself by chasing a cat nearly in through its front door and so was back on lead. The Big Black Dog was freely mooching.This

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-23443582350350862512011-06-11T20:28:00.002+01:002011-06-11T20:36:00.968+01:00

Present for a certain gorgeous boy on the other side of the world. Hopefully it is helping to keep the chill of Winter at bay.

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-2740758505224096732011-06-09T21:45:00.004+01:002011-06-09T22:06:41.683+01:00

I survived the Great Craft Bomb of 2011.Just.

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-91669561162014880192011-06-08T20:56:00.001+01:002011-06-08T20:58:13.147+01:00

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-11125814019933738012011-06-07T22:13:00.006+01:002011-06-07T22:55:34.574+01:00

What's that?Someone is in danger?NeeeNor NeeeNor NeeeNor. International Warthog Rescue ably assisted by Pew, Pew, Barney, McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub.Don't worry little bugs and butterflies. I will save you.I accept your adoration and hugs of gratitude. All systems go.

trashnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-51524749308243748692011-06-07T08:35:00.001+01:002011-06-07T08:38:15.317+01:00

I have knitted a warthog. That is all.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-58311776042442514072011-06-05T11:14:00.001+01:002011-06-05T11:16:10.396+01:00

Nope not even a little bit. All of those fabulous things that happened in Daylesford this weekend. Didn't think about them at all. Honest.

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-69727532380603558252011-05-31T08:18:00.003+01:002011-05-31T08:50:51.040+01:00

Today is World No Tobacco Day.And I had such big plans too

trashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-10018187338006300542011-05-30T22:29:00.009+01:002011-06-05T10:05:41.277+01:00

I was awake for over an hour from three in the early hours of Saturday morning. This is the equivalent of 13 years without sleep for most people. The combination of CK snoring through a blocked nose and me going over and over my shitty meeting w destructoBoy's teacher meant sleep was elusive. So I started making lists.My first list involved ways of getting said teacher disbarred/struck off/

trashnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-29081144149870174542011-05-27T11:50:00.002+01:002011-05-27T12:03:12.252+01:00

Not it is not My Assistant.Although she was very taken with this incredibly clever book.I wrestled it out from under her and read it through from cover to cover. Ever wanted to make curved blocks but been put off be twisty bias-cut fabric turning evil? This clever lady makes it all soooooo simple even I could do it effectively.Look! I made a strawberry! Wanna see the trick?By cutting the squares

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-5844718428998994092011-05-24T12:56:00.002+01:002011-05-24T13:06:18.237+01:00

This is my mother's latest quilt. As always stunning and, despite what she would have you believe, beautifully crafted.While my initial response was 'What an ace quilt for a little girl' and 'Ooo! I recognise that fabric!!This one is actually going to her god-daughter, a woman older even than I. The problem is the binding. She can't decide whether to go with the olive green or a slightly more

trashnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-65254550975908529292011-05-15T23:06:00.007+01:002011-05-16T11:07:22.622+01:00

I would like to proffer formal apologies for my non-attendance at Saturday's Inaugural Staff Meeting but, factoring in the time difference and all, I have a reasonable excuse - I read the memo too late and was already booked to go into Central London.Getting off the train at Waterloo I took the Tube to Regent's Park. A mistake on my part but the walk down Great Portland Street onto Portland Place

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-28449759594091759322011-05-11T22:15:00.002+01:002011-05-11T22:37:12.959+01:00

The White Rabbit was late for a seventh birthday party! Gorgeous Baby Will. Hanging out on top of The Hill.My Assistant in the Winter sunshine.Mother's Day Dinner made by destructoBoy.

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-4563108321741842062011-04-27T01:38:00.005+01:002011-05-05T15:03:02.996+01:00

I had a dream last night.CK and I were walking across the grassy field next to our highrise apartment block (a field which was patently my school oval - bear with me this is a dream) and my beautiful OMD was out there too, happily gnawing a bone.Then we were up high, looking out the window from our flat and I could see him out on the grass with the bone. When I looked again he was gone.I woke up

trashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-29038341689966666662011-04-27T01:38:00.002+01:002011-04-29T21:12:04.451+01:00

Lovely day. Sun came out occasionally. Loads of lovely new people met. Dogs happily running around scarfing dropped food. Son played football. Daughter coloured in chalk bunting decorating the pavements.Played boules. Had a go an Alpine horn, sadly seem to have lost my embouchure but hit a few notes. Drenched after waterballoon-tossing competition went badly awry. Broke my son, not a good plan to

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-28290230214899476212011-04-27T01:38:00.000+01:002011-04-27T01:40:00.794+01:00

I'm crafting!!!(pics to follow)

trashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-25584699394153597432011-04-22T17:57:00.003+01:002011-04-22T18:08:41.711+01:00

Easter Saturday tomorrow and the clouds come rolling in. My bastard b-i-l is coming to stay for a couple of nights.Some of us may have reacted with poor grace to this news.

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-29470056267588550542011-04-20T14:59:00.003+01:002011-04-20T15:16:28.845+01:00

I have decided I need to get me some new friends.I mean 'real' friends.Not you guys. You are my fabulous and wonderful imaginary friends and my life would be way sadder and lonlier and filled with a hell of a lot less laughter had I never found you all.No I mean those tricksy to track down, real life versions of y'all. Anyone have any clues or suggestions on where or how I might go about finding

trashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-1113973274695908732011-04-16T14:20:00.004+01:002011-04-16T14:28:53.963+01:00

We're hoping to catch a BIG one. I'm not scared. What a beautiful day. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We'll have to social media it! **blog,blog, twitter, facebook, twitter,blog, facebook, twitter, twitter**

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-75716866575853428022011-04-14T17:01:00.001+01:002011-04-14T17:04:43.496+01:00

Traffic is awful around here in the holidays.

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-48444531172134006052011-04-13T12:41:00.004+01:002011-04-13T12:48:24.998+01:00

It is damp and grey with limited visibility. Dear Sunshine, two days wasn't enough. Please come back soon. Love, trash

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-52807550062930070362011-04-06T18:52:00.001+01:002011-04-06T18:53:22.782+01:00

I have just said 'No' to a friend who always expects me to say 'Yes'. This feels good.

trashnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-30734268745229163862011-04-01T21:38:00.002+01:002011-04-01T22:52:05.833+01:00

The day has drawn nearer so much more quickly than I thought. In the space of four hours this morning he had three quite heavy-duty fits. I knew things weren't going to be good. Today has been spent sitting with him and gently stroking him, marvelling at how puppy-soft that small patch behind each ear remained while the rest of him has got old. I lay next to him keeping him calm and warm until CK

trashnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-49499423545295715122011-03-31T23:30:00.006+01:002011-03-31T23:55:21.315+01:00

My OMD was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure this morning. As well as extreme regenerative anaemia and ulcerated stomach lining. However the vet said she checked the findings twice because the failing dog the numbers were talking about was not the quite perky, wobbly-headed, fally-down dog she saw in her consulting room. We are dealing with things via diet and drugs and will watch carefully

trashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-82839673069996579652011-03-29T19:48:00.003+01:002011-03-31T23:11:17.327+01:00

Found this when d/Boy and I left for school the other morning.

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-44219286999562166492011-03-27T11:04:00.003+01:002011-03-27T12:21:01.153+01:00

Found this one morning when destructoBoy and I left for school.

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-27426815084268498972011-03-24T05:39:00.004Z2011-03-24T05:56:31.752Z

OMD has finally gone to sleep after sharing his insomnia with me for the past hour and a half.Watching the forsythia appear like magic as the dawn sky begins to lighten.Listening to the dawn chorus. They have been going since 4:08 am and dawn isn't for another 8 mins! Someone should get them an alarm clock.Trying to id best way to encourage d/Boy to handle meeting with headteacher in about three

trashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-12846654306626472872011-03-20T20:50:00.003Z2011-03-20T21:12:19.716Z

"Lazy Sunday afternoon, I got no time to worry."And the same goes for Sunday morning and Sunday night as well.A day of so very little attempted and probably even less achieved.Dogs not walked.Fire burning since about 2pm.Chunky wool hat only six rows off completion but NO idea where I have put the second ball. Bah!V. yummy homemade plum tomato and caramelised onion tart.Salmon en croute for the

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-77902279896432942822011-03-17T22:35:00.003Z2011-03-17T23:04:17.189Z

If there is one thing we bloggers are extremely good at it is talking.We share so much of our lives and thoughts with one another.I know so much about your families, your friends, your pets, your crafting, humour, anger, emotions, politics and points of view.How about quiet though?As a mark of respect and a way of raising funds for Shelter Boxes to send to Japan Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours

trashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-65814016595357906362011-03-17T14:02:00.003Z2011-03-17T14:05:27.956Z

The front door and windows are wide open.The sun is shining.A fat noisy bee has just flown past my bedroom window.

trashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-21901857637050777222011-03-16T14:42:00.002Z2011-03-16T14:49:16.806Z

Have just googled the names of the last children I nannied.One of them is mentioned in today's Daily Mail.Another in tagged in newspaper picture from a swish 50th birthday party last year for Lord High Sooper-Dooper Lani-Pants.The mother is even coming up as being on Facebook!As for the third child, a couple of pages filled with references to her popped up onscreen and then my computer fastracked

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-6825149516057139132011-03-10T22:28:00.001Z2011-03-10T22:29:31.799Z

Girls wearing make-up to school.What say you all?

trashnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-87099384448933114782011-03-09T13:12:00.005Z2011-03-09T14:15:37.906Z

I have ...* finalised plans for new kitchen/living room building (Yippee! Woohoo! And Yay!) .* nearly left my husband during IKEA trip to id potential kitchens (not that he even realised but I felt better for considering it).* transported four highly excited under 9s through the wilds of Wiltshire to their first chess tournament. They only came 8/12 bc of a mahoosive amount of adult-sanctioned

trashnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-24272310592202157982011-03-08T10:32:00.004Z2011-03-08T12:03:01.132Z

The Bat Lady has just been.The tools of her trade seem to be no more than a ladder, a notepad, a pencil and a really big torch. She looked out the back at the section onto which we will be building. "Is this it?" She said in a slightly accusatory fashion, staring at the roof with an inch and half gap between two slates. Ummmm ... yes." I replied wondering what more I could offer her.Is there no

trashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-34538741421175552932011-03-07T14:22:00.002Z2011-03-07T14:33:24.598Z

Out walking with my assistant this morning when internationally reknowned photographer said"What are you wearing on your feet? Are they some kind of boots or something?"I looked down at the bright orange and turquoise trainers topped by my bright orange and lime green swirly socks visible under the hem of my long skirt."These are my socks. Handknitted, took me forever but I made them." I replied

trashnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-69830374391177449992011-03-06T15:41:00.010Z2011-03-06T16:09:32.937Z

Enquired after an acquaintance's child on Friday. She had been in Princess C-W's tutor group until Christmas but left to attend a nearby private (public) school. I had assumed it was for snobbish reasons; this family live in the valley off The Hill where all the money resides, their other daughters go to swish sounding schools in the closest Cathedral city and the dad has been invited to a flash

trashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-72422730886060508192011-03-02T23:16:00.004Z2011-03-05T19:47:42.019Z

Just home from a very pleasant evening out with some friends at the cinema over in The Big Smoke. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are genii there is no doubt. Much being rude about the odd inhabitants of the Big Smoke followed by funny film and then a beer in good company to round the night off. On returning home I remembered tonight was the night my girl was finding out the result of the orienteering

trashnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-36645685303897827832011-02-27T19:14:00.005Z2011-02-27T20:45:47.358Z

Tonight is Oscar Night and from early this morning I hadgeared myself up to stay awake into the early hours so I could cheer as Colin Firth climbed to the podium clad in breeches and a damp muslin shirt.Earlier in the week my cake guru posted this ace recipe which seemed perfect to nibble on as golden statues were awarded and emotional speeches declared so this afternoon I conjured one up. The

trashnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074590606650722321.post-19078919540863104022011-02-27T12:34:00.001Z2011-02-27T12:35:33.015Z

... my mother broke North Africa.What has been happening at your house?

trashnoreply@blogger.com2