Saturday, 16 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Remembrance Sunday
We took a stroll around Winchester yesterday, past the remembrance poppies and up the high street. It's been a quiet weekend, and we woke up this Sunday morning and watched the Remembrance Service on TV. There were so, so many people. And it struck me what an important time it was for women as well, in a time when all the men were away and they were suddenly filling roles never considered before. There was a woman who was interviewed on tv who had applied for work during the war and, after declining an offer to be a cook, had asked if she could help take information mid-battles. And she worked day-to-day in a room with other women, all wearing head sets, leaning over a huge map, taking coordinates and updates on who had fallen and what action was occurring. Their work was so important, all the nurses out in the field, most of them volunteering. And what a time and a change, from WWI when women were lobbying for the right to vote, through WWII, up to now.
It's incredible to think about, and to think where we are today. And to think of all of the men and women who have served for our county, back then and today, in such difficult circumstances.
It's incredible to think about, and to think where we are today. And to think of all of the men and women who have served for our county, back then and today, in such difficult circumstances.
Winter Garden
Everything is turning autumn, and the rain has been endless. Every time I've walked through the park these past few weeks the leaves have been reds and oranges and yellows, and it's made me feel cosy.
I just love this season. I even love the rain. And how it makes me want to bake, and make wooly mittens for winter, and meet up with friends at the pub for drinks on drizzly Friday nights.
Last weekend we decided to plant up our winter garden at the front of the house, our last ditch effort to spruce things up before the frost hits. We trundled up to the garden centre in our hoodies and wooly hats and picked out some wintery plants. We chose some Northern Star oriental cabbages with some white Cyclamen, which are quite nice little bursts of colour. We bought this beautiful Magnolia tree with little fuzzy furry buds on it, that feel all soft.
I thought it would take ages to get all the weeds out, but we were finished in an hour and we were quite proud with it. :-)
Before:
I just love this season. I even love the rain. And how it makes me want to bake, and make wooly mittens for winter, and meet up with friends at the pub for drinks on drizzly Friday nights.
Last weekend we decided to plant up our winter garden at the front of the house, our last ditch effort to spruce things up before the frost hits. We trundled up to the garden centre in our hoodies and wooly hats and picked out some wintery plants. We chose some Northern Star oriental cabbages with some white Cyclamen, which are quite nice little bursts of colour. We bought this beautiful Magnolia tree with little fuzzy furry buds on it, that feel all soft.
I thought it would take ages to get all the weeds out, but we were finished in an hour and we were quite proud with it. :-)
Before:
(With an embarassing amount of weeds in it)
Garden after:
So much better!!!!
The drive to the garden centre is one of my favorite parts. This is the view from the car. It just makes me want to frolick in fields all day.
Sunday, 3 November 2013
Halloween pumpkins
The time has come to say goodbye to the pumpkins... Until next year, Mr. Pumpkin!!!
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Autumn time!!
The table is set ready for a cosy evening in with friends. ...I can't wait to start carving pumpkins!! Halloween is almost here!!
I have just prepped one of the cocktails from two-tarts.com, and given it a taste: Vanilla & Pear Vodka cocktails. I've had to split the drink and double the juice it's THAT strong. Am I that much of a grandma? Hm, maybe it will make it back up to full strength by the end of the night!
Hubby has the winning cocktail: black rum & ginger ale with apple juice. It is soo yummy and so autumny! :-)
(That is supposed to be spider webs on the table admist the autumn veg... we also had it hanging around the house, but our friends just asked us why on earth did we have cotton wool on the table for dinner? he he I am SO getting this back out to use as snow at christmas...)
I have just prepped one of the cocktails from two-tarts.com, and given it a taste: Vanilla & Pear Vodka cocktails. I've had to split the drink and double the juice it's THAT strong. Am I that much of a grandma? Hm, maybe it will make it back up to full strength by the end of the night!
Hubby has the winning cocktail: black rum & ginger ale with apple juice. It is soo yummy and so autumny! :-)
(That is supposed to be spider webs on the table admist the autumn veg... we also had it hanging around the house, but our friends just asked us why on earth did we have cotton wool on the table for dinner? he he I am SO getting this back out to use as snow at christmas...)
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Paper Hearts & a New Name
After much deliberation my Etsy shop now has a new name: Ocean & Fern. Hurrah! And along with my name, comes new packaging :-) I'm quite pleased with how it turned out, and I feel like I can really focus now on actually making jewellery instead of spending all day worrying that my name doesn't suit me. I ended up going with my old home Florida & my new home England, Ocean & Fern. Which also is my style as well, mostly beach-style with pale blues, seafoam greens, and swirly wirework, with pink berry beads and deep greens.
I've also been busy rustling up more paper heart earrings. I have dozens of different patterned paper hearts all over the craft room right now, and I have had to take a break from wearing nail polish because my fingers are constantly stuck together with PVA glue. I love the polka dotted pastel coloured ones because they remind me of ice cream and sweet shops and are just so girlie. And I have been trying out bird & woodland themed ones as well. I want to also try out some necklaces once I get going.
I recently went to the Newbury show a few weeks ago, and happened upon an amazing jewellery maker called Sarah Brook-Hayes who had her stall, Oberon Jewellery, set up. She was incredibly inspiring and I literally wanted to buy her *enitre* stall. Here is a link to her shop: www.etsy.com/shop/OberonJewellery. The photos don't do it justice. Every charm she makes is so pretty, hand made from silver clay. I ended up buying a Christmas present from her, and also a bangle for myself with a little bird flying on it. I wear it every weekend and I love it so so much. All of the stalls just made me really want to try out a Christmas fair!
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
San Diego
Underneath the pier at Manhattan Beach
Santa Monica
La Jolla Shores
La Jolla Shores
Kayaking on La Jolla Shores Beach
The Botany Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego
At the San Diego Zoo. She is so beautiful!
The Converse shop down the road from Santa Monica Pier. How amazing is this!? I loved this store. Inside, they had a Converse Ink Bar, where you could create your own custom pair of Converse.
Dreamy holiday.... swoon! Is it Thanksgiving time yet...?
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