Photo less still.....

Hello lovelies, thank you for putting up with my photo free posts.....still no luck on the laptop front, but, wanted to say 'hi'

I have made some pretty purple and lilac triangle bunting, using the pattern from 'Lucy' recently featured in Simply Crochet....they are currently pinned to the ironing board after a blocking and will be put in a row over the weekend....

I have been making squares for my granny sofa blanket and working out a flower pattern for a friend.

The weather has been a delight, so trying to make the most of it.....making endless lists as we approach the busy end of term time and plenty of cakes to make for work.

Weekend baking will be the usual batch of cookies to last the week and then scones for Saturday afternoon snack then rhubarb crumble for pud on Sunday....I'll happily share any of the recipes if you give me a shout......

Enjoy your weekend xxxxxxc

Technology.....who needs it???

I do........

My laptop is officially on the scrapheap:(    it has been a handy little companion, rarely complaining, usually useful....a couple of years ago it caught a nasty virus and has never really recovered...

I can't use blogger on my Windows phone....I can't add photos to blog posts via my kindle...so for the moment, photos are out and I'll have to try and amuse you with my writing!!

More disappointing is that I had agreed to take part in a blog hop and then had to pull out, hate disappointing people........

So in the meantime I have been baking, caking, coffee drinking and hooking....purple and lilac bunting is being hooked as a quick project as the huge granny stripe is a bit hot to work on in the day at the moment, a bit like snuggling under a blanket in 25 degrees Sun!!

I've been visiting new blogs, which is great, reading when possible, currently a classic Cider with Rosie after several Lee Child 'Reacher' books.....such fast paced reads, absolutely love them....

Lots happenings at school, nursery, work, day trips, housework, husband, planning, birthday parties.......normal life I guess..

So, With no photos to delight I will bore you no more, roll on the sales when a brand, spanking, shiny new laptop will be grasped in my mucky paws once more :)

xxxxxxxxx

National Trust......

We are National trust members and have been for many years. We are lucky enough to have loads of great properties within an hour's drive and loads more within an hour and a half. Morden Hall Park is very close..so on a dismal day in half term we went exploring..details here

As you can see, it really was a good day, lots to see and do, we will definitely be back in the next holidays. 

My absolute favourite National trust place is Nymans, big grounds, interesting house, woodland and croquet lawn to mention but a few points of interest....

Armed with wellies, raincoats and picnics we headed off to the woods, it is great fun, really peaceful, very squishy with mud and alive with wildlife.....we did get somewhat carried away and several hours and miles later we returned to the formal grounds and were delighted to see....

Coffees for the big people and big tubs of ice cream with chocolate and strawberry sauce for the little people....

There is a very interesting story about this house read here

In the summer the boarders are just a riot of colour, so, I will be back, camera  at the ready....but if you live near and haven't been yet, you really must go xx

Day tripping 2

Hello, or should I say 'Bonjour' . Welcome to France :). Long before my little people arrived, day trips to France were a regular thing.....loads of lovely wine and beer was purchased, shops were meandered, coffees, croissants, pain au chocolat were consumed, dinner was thoroughly enjoyed etc etc. But none of this filled me with delight with 2 babies in tow, but now, they have reached an age where we don't need a pushchair and they have a huge level of curiosity for everything and anything......so, we decided back to France we go.....sorry there is a lack of photos. Anyhow, this is the beach on a very, very drab day. It was fun, lots and lots of fun.....most definitely going again...

Day tripping 1

We had a couple of inset days before the half term and we usually visit Chessington world of adventures as it is still fairly quiet....downside is it usually pours with rain, upside they offer a rainy day guarantee and we get to come back later in the year.

Blue skies started off the day....

I love these little birds, they are so colourful and cheer up the greyest of days.

True to form, shortly after lunch The heavens opened and we had a soggy afternoon, but good fun was had by all, waterproofs were pulled on and we made the most of a family day out.

Another spot we tend to go when the weather has kept us in, but, we need to go out for the sake of our sanity.....the waterfall cafe at the local garden centre...here is the waterfall, my camera batteries ran out before I could take any more....there are some seats under cover and some in the sun (when we get some) a small climbing frame, stepping stones and sand pit.  It keeps my 2 amused  for an hour or so, leaving me with a cuppa and one eye on them and one eye on my crochet, before the clouds move in and we take refuge back indoors again xx

Double choc chewy cookies......

Hello, I don't know about you, but, I love a cookie....I tend to go for the American style, quick and easy to make and you can flavour with whatever you happen to have in the cupboard...

This was a new recipe to me from the lovely Lucy at Attic24. You can find the recipe here
The only change I have made is to make it quicker and easier by putting all the ingredients in together and mix. Now, I have a super speedy mixer to do this for me, but, good old fashioned elbow grease will do the trick and tone your arms at the same time!!

Cooling, not long now.....

Aaaah lovely, in the garden with a cuppa...

Enjoy xx