Happy thoughts and sad thoughts

I woke up this morning to a lovely posy of flowers from my husband to celebrate my retirement. I have finished work today after working 25 years looking after children and young people with disabilities. I really enjoyed my job, it was the best, but now its time to start relaxing and enjoy the rest of my life.

Goodbye to all the lovely staff and young people i have had the pleasure of being with .xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

An all inspiring day out at the Country Living Fair in London.

I went to the fair with my daughter and daughter-in-law. It was held at the Business Design Centre in London. There were over 400 independent designers, makers and small producers from the UK.
We had a lovely time and came home with lots of new ideas to be more creative. I took over 100 photos, (with permission of the stall holders), but as i cannot show all of these due to my last post crashing i have selected my favourite ones.

This is me with my daughter-in-law waiting to go into the fair. I am the one on the left.

These lovely cushions were made for William and Kate's forthcoming marriage.

Vicky and Anna from Wild Paeony are passionate about country chic style.

Pixie Land was my favourite stand. It was just like going into a fantasy land of fairies, toadstools etc.

Lots and lots of hand made quilts.

These handbags were made by quality craftsmen.

These lovely cuddly toys came in kit form from Emily'Ark. My daughter bought a mohair teddy kit.

I just love this display of all hand made pottery. Its so lovely to see such pretty pottery made in England.

These brightly coloured pictures were made by Charlotte Clowes using coloured paper, How very clever.

The designer here cleverly used patchwork in all her work. My daughters favourite.

This hand-embroidered throw was made by village women in Bangladesh and designed by Sophie Pattinson. It cost £250 to buy. The work is just incredible to look at.

Such a simple heart, but beautiful to own.

Lovely crotchet and material bags

Hand made decorative home accessories by Funtasia. The owls and fairies were clearly the best....

Hearts and china display

These dolls caught my eye i just had to buy the one on the left.

The smell from these dried fruits was lovely.

You would never believe it but these are tiles, made by Welbeck in Cornwell.

I would just love to own this pink bicycle!!

I was very interested in these slates as i make slate hearts from slate i found from a rubbish heap in my garden.

I had a great time at the fair with my daughter and daughter-in-law and would recommend it to all you bloggers. The next fair will be nearer Christmas and i certainly will be going.

My day out in Aldeburgh

My husband kindly took me to Aldeburgh today. It is a small fishing coastal town in Suffolk and a place where i love to go when i need to escape from myself. We had our usual fish and chips known to be the best in East Anglia and ate them sitting in the car looking out to sea.

 Aldeburgh is known for its musical festivals and the famous Benjamin Britten (composer) who lived in a house in the town. This metal scallop sculpture proudly sits on the beach. It was designed by Maggi Humbling in memory of Benjamin Britten. It attracks many visitors from all over the world.

The Moot Hall dates back to the first half of the sixteenth century.   It is a timber framed public building and is open to the public regularly.









This statue of snook the Jack Russel is memorial to its owners.















 This building resembles a tower, it is right on the beach and seen by many as they walk along the prom.

I just love this pretty detached house. It sits all on its own surrounded by car parks.

                                                                                                                                               

Aldeburgh has lots of art galleries where local artists and potters sell their original works of art.

Like all seasides Aldeburgh has its fair share of sea gulls.

After i came home from my lovely day out  feeling emotionally refreshed. I thought about all those poor people in Japan who also had a lovely country , but is now devastated by earthquake, floods and fire. 

and also other countries like Afghanistan and Libya where their countries are being torn apart by war.

 My heart  goes out to two dear friends whose son has just gone out for a tour of Afghanistan.

How lucky i am to live in England !

Another year another Spring.

Spring is my favourite time of the year...............                I just love it!!!!

These miniature daffodils are singing the song with the daffodil Fairy

 Taken from a 1973 book of the Flower Fairies in Spring by Cicely Barker. 

My seeds all in order, waiting to be sown.

Seed potatoes, chitting in my conservatory. 

  These Aurilia's have spent all the winter in my greenhouse. They are just beginning to come into flower. When they are in full bloom they look great.

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I sowed these seeds a week ago in the propagator. They are now ready to be pricked out into trays.

I love old flower pots. These ones i will use to pot up my flower seedlings. The dried Fennel grows wild

in my garden.  

 

The crocus are a wellcome site in early spring. These ones come up every year and they never fail to

look a picture. 

Mrs Hen proudly sitting in her summer residence, Our old summer House.......

My empty greenhouse waiting for the warmer weather to grow Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Peppers. 

  I love all the seasons, but Spring to me is the most exciting......