The White House

Yesterday afternoon we popped out to a local charity fund raising event being held in the grounds of a local school.
When I was younger it was known as the White House, today it is gregg school. We would go there occasionally when I was at junior school for sports and it was also the venue for family outings on Bonfire Night a couple of times too.
A few years back we went for a visit during Heritage Open weekend and had a tour round the house which was great being able to get inside and have a snoop around.


The gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll

and although there wasn't much still blooming one of my favourites was there to still be enjoyed.

I seem to remember from our tour that the school children aren't allowed to go down to this part of the garden.

We weren't subject to the school rules and had a lovely wander round and the topiary helped us to practise S's maths topic of

3D shapes.

T wanted to take some photos so for once there is a photo of me!

There were lots of signs of autumn including these helicopters

trees groaning with apples

and plenty of windfalls on the ground

lots of pinecones, a few of which made there way home with us and now are sitting in a planter on the windowsill.

There was only one purchase made. A set of Russian doll pegs. My thinking is maybe I'll hang them up in the kitchen (once it's painted!) and use them to display the children's certificates and art work.

Growing up in the 70's

As a little girl in the 70's I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be able to shop in Richard Shops .
I loved their advertsing jingle and I thought it would be marvellous to be considered a pretty face and be allowed to buy their floaty floral clothes.

I also DESPERATELY wanted life to be like a box of chocolates, try saying that without a Forrest Gump twang!
Most specifically I wanted life to be like a Dairy Box advert.
Not when the box looked like this hideous thing But when the art work simplier and the women in the ad were dressed in white floaty (that word again) cotton and cheesecloth frocks and reminded me of Sara Moon pictures.

The ads were full of sunshine, cricket matches, panama hats, all ages mingling and laughing, dogs, wicker chairs, croquet, a jolly vicar, good times and love. Thankfully some knind soul has put them on you tube where I can go and get my fix.
The people used in the ads were mostly blonde. My dad has 2 blonde half sisters who are about 15 years older me than and I thought they were the prettiest most glamourous things on the planet.

Finally I wanted to sit in a field of poppies and paint. Wearing, yes you've guessed it, something floaty.

Flakes are still one of my most favourites.

Happy days.

Name that Programme

S's work of art before school this morning.
Of course it could only be Dr Who!

Thank you to everyone who left messages on my last post about T. Your kind words are appreciated.

I'd like to say...

.....that the good start at senior school continued for T during it's second week, but I can't.
I'd like to say that we had a weekend ful of outdoor time in which we were able to walk off the feelings of worry and stress and anger, but I can't.

What I can do is share this huge rainbow which appeared yesterday whilst on our way home, a reminder that beautiful things can happen when all appears to be pants.



And in the meantime we'll endeavour to

A new phone case presented to me by T when I got home from work on Friday.

The Book Thief

So much violence. So much gentleness.
So much hate. So much love.
So much sadness. So much happiness.
The power of words.
Read. This. Book.

Between the showers

on Saturday I went to an indoor car boot sale at one local church hall where I bought a fabulous pair of nearly new boots which should see me quite happily through the winter and then on to another church hall for a bric a brac sale. The only item I bought there was this pyrex type baking dish. I'm thinking maybe a rice pudding for after tea tonight?


Then in the afternoon we visited a church G used to live opposite and I have travelled past a thousand times as it was open as part of this weekend's

The architect for this church was George_Gilbert_Scott who was responsible for, among other things, the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras station and the Albert Memorial

but it was the stained glass windows made by Heaton, Butler and Baynes I really wanted to see as the info on the website said they were designed in the Art Nouveau style.

And they did not disappoint.

This is Mercy

with Peace to her left

and Justice to her right.

We were given a tour by the very knowledgable church warden who pointed out this set of 3 windows in the Lady Chapel. Apparently these were made out of stained glass from other broken windows in the church.

Thankfully yesterday wasn't quite as wet, though it was a bit blowy, as first predicted and so we spent a couple of hours walking and cycling on the Common before G treated us all to lunch in the pub. It was just the kind of gentle weekend we needed after the first week of getitng back into routine again.

Back to school

It's been an age since I last blogged.
We have computer problems and it's been so difficult getting long enough to even read just a couple of emails each day that reading any blog posts has been near on impossible so posting anything just hasn't been a option. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the computer plays ball now just long enough for me to complete this before it freezes.

S went back to school on Monday and was very ready to start Year 2 and see all her friends again.
I fact she had such a good week she was nominated by her teacher as Star of the Week for 'such a fantastic start to Year 2'. She was very proud of her sticker and certificate.


Unfortunately I don't have a photo of T on his first day of senior school. Those photos are on my phone and not downloaded as yet.
Tuesday morning was the big day and T was so nervous he couldn't manage any more than a couple of mouthfuls of his Shreddies. It was the same on Wednesday. Thursday he manged to eat a whole bowl full. Friday morning it was 2 bowl fulls and a hot cross bun! I think you can deduce from that that the week went well! I can't tell you what a relief it was. Each day he came home he was full of smiles and chatted about different aspects of his day. I tried not to bombard him with too many questions but we had so many concerns over this major education move it was just so reassuring seeing him so happy.

So with the return to school there was a return to quietness during the day which these two certainly enjoyed stretching out and dozing on S's bed with the sun warming them through.

How do you like this artists impression of me keeping the children topped up with squash during the summer holiday as they frolicked in the garden?!

OK so it's actually an illustration from a vintage children's ABC book I found in a charity shop the other week, but oh to look so flawless and capable!

For me the summer hols seemed to finish a week earlier than it really did. T went to stay in Salisbury and then London for the whole week and S went to stay with my mum for a couple of nights so it was all a bit strange after being so busy.

So before I forget I must blog about the fab things S and I made one afternoon.

We each made a ladybird on which S did a tremendous job of painting on their spots and gluing on their eyes.

Photo is on it's side!

Our next joint effort were these bees. I drew the body shapes, S did everything else.

My favourite were these moustaches stuck to drinking straws. We looked completely ridiculous which of course is the whole point!

I hope to get round and visit everyone's blogs very soon. I may not be able to leave comments but I do hope to catch up with all the news and find up what everyone has been up to, I miss blogland.

What the Papers Say

We found a little piece of history when we were making over that old pine wardrobe recently.
When G took the mirror out he found that a newspaper had been slipped behind it, maybe to help hold it in place, maybe for someone to find in years to come.

We've only had a quick glance through it as yet but it's safely stowed away to be looked at properly another day, but here's a few snippets to share.

As you can see it's the Daily Express from 7th August 1924,


it cost one penny and this particular copy was for Mr Greenwood.

Main news stories are about Lady Astor's portrait being scribbed on

the price of bread increasing

Political wrangles and money issues

and issues with a poor train service.

Any of those sound familiar?

A few advertisements include these pills for those who can not go

those seeking a satisfying smoke

cocoa drinkers with an eye on the pennies

ladies fashion

and a soothing bath brand still going today.

This advert is one of our favourites.

We'd be happy to snap up this bargain if it was still as cheap. I wonder what today's market value is?