The Crochet Blanket. Kind of up there with Marmite - you either love it or hate it. Many a time have I hummed and ho'd over them in charity shops and at car boot sales and decided that they're just too high on the granny-o-meter. Until this week when I gave in to a little crocheted knee rug. Aside from the rather garish colours you've just got to admire the workmanship.
Mr Clover Yard seems to be tolerating it quite well. I might just grow to love it.
Little boy and I studied the sky this morning and agreed that we should head north to the blue patch over Stonehaven - home of Auntie J who claims it is always sunny there. I'm beginning to believe her. Little boy was supposed to have a morning at nursery but we decided there were far more important adventures to be had.
We stopped off en route at the new Castleton Farm Shop & Cafe - a lovely light-filled space full of delicious local produce and the most amazing tomato and tarragon soup and butterfly cakes.
With essential tools at the ready, we headed for the harbour and little boy enthusiastically began to dig.
Perhaps I shouldn't have told him if he kept going he would reach Australia. Needless to say, I had one tired little boy on my hands tonight.
I've received a "You Make My Day" award! And what a lovely one it is. It doesn't get much better when someone tells you that you've made their day. I so appreciate this Heidi. You are too kind!
I'd like to pass it on to all my sidebar favourites and this is by no means a cop out. I read an awful lot more blogs than those listed but I have to say these are my very favourites from when I began blogging and the inspiration for me to begin Clover Yard. They don't only make my day but have completely transformed the past 10 months for me!
My husband has just called from the Grand Hotel in Oslo where he's on a business trip. It's not like him to be moved by such things but he excitedly told me he'd been upgraded to a suite that has a sauna in the bathroom, a balcony overlooking the city, and L'Occitane toiletries (he's been instructed not to wash and to bring them home with him). I've just looked up the website and they have a ladies floor. Yes, a whole floor of sumptiousness completely dedicated to the needs of us females. I read it and wept. And then I put the bin out.
Hmmph.
Thank goodness I'm back. Have been having some problems posting of late but it looks like it's all resolved. Where to begin with my antics over the past fortnight.
Well, as it was hubby's birthday, there was plenty of this...
..courtesy of Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess" (her almond cake with a Clover Yard twist!).
And then there was the village gala day where a friend and I rescued some beautiful vintage china from the back of a truck. I was horrified to see people lining up to hurl things at rows of old plates and cups - 5 goes for £1 - and wished there was a RSPCVC (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Vintage China) to come along and bundle them off in a secure van! There was nothing for it other than to dash over at the end and salvage what was left. The chaps on the stall were dumfounded when we offered to pay for any items left intact! Sadly some of the prettier plates were broken, but I did manage to save these...
There was a wedding too and husband and I had a whirlwind trip to Usk in Wales. Being the mad blogging wife that I am, I bored him to tears dragging him round the village taking pictures of windows with net curtains...
When in Wales.
Of recent months, there has been far too much of the above (I can't even type it for drooling), which resulted in the use of the following around the widest part, and quite shocking results...
so, there will be a little more of this going on...
I couldn't find a postcard with "eat less and let out a couple of inches".
There was a heart-warming moment with the discovery of this beautiful image on a greetings card. Twilight Tenderness by Florence Harrison. I have a lump in my throat just posting about it.
The discovery of a new magazine (8 out of 10 cats prefer it), with gobsmackingly amazing pictures. I needed to floss my eyes after these...
Finally, note to self on idea for future post. Last night I watched (under the blanket with little boy) "You've Got Mail" although I much prefer the title "The Shop Around the Corner". I kept pausing to check what was on the shelves in the bookshop and in Meg Ryan's apartment for that matter! Anyway, gave me a idea to do a post on one of my favourite things - pretty shop windows. Maybe I'll save it for Christmas ;)
Today, the intrepid explorers headed off to Dunkeld and Birnam, a childhood holiday destination of both my husband and Beatrix Potter. It is said that during holidays spent here she drew inspiration for her Peter Rabbit tales.
After lunch and a wander round the beautiful cathedral ruins and little shops in Dunkeld, we walked along the riverside to Birnam, past the enormous ancient oak trees believed to be part of the wood from which Malcolm's soldiers cut branches to disguise their attack on Macbeth at Dunsinane Hill.
Further on, we reached the village of Birnam and the Arts and Conference Centre which houses a wonderful exhibition telling the tale of Beatrix and her animal friends.
A group of very creative ladies have collected vintage items and stitched together the most beautiful display. Actually, it is more like a play room as the children are encouraged to touch and play with everything. Little boy had such fun serving me fabric carrots at the little shop with working vintage till full of pennies. And mummy had a lot of fun hanging up little bloomers and handkerchiefs on Mrs Tiggy-Winkles washing line (but don't tell anyone that bit).
Cleverly entwined with all the touchy feely stuff is Beatrix's story including some original sketches and objects belonging to Miss Potter herself.
The price of pine cones these days!
Parents and children are encouraged to try their hand at embroidery at this dinky little table - who could resist this sweet little sewing machine!
We could have spent all day in this mini-world of little creatures but had only allowed half an hour before closing and Hunca Munca was shooing us out impatiently with her broom so she could get on with sweeping the dollies' house.
Although she did very kindly ask us to come back another day.
Phew, I really hope this weather keeps up. Our week's holiday at home experiment (or gamble) has been glorious so far. Last night was damp but warm and "the boys" spent the night in the small tent in the back garden. Little boy was so excited he could hardly contain himself. Daddy promised to wake him at midnight and then they'd both go out to the tent, have a midnight feast, read some stories and then hopefully catch some sleep. I don't even think he remembers being woken and once snug inside the tent he promptly fell fast asleep again. Didn't phase him one bit! Daddy was a little bit sore given the contorted starfish sleeping position he had to endure.
However, bright eyed and bushy tailed we all set off for the beach this afternoon.
A rustic old gate that I couldn't resist photographing and our first glimpse of the sea.
I remember trips to Lunan Bay during the school holidays, when Mum would pack up our psychedelic folding garden chairs and a string bag full of cheese sandwiches, apples, Golden Wonder crisps and bottles of diluted Kia-ora juice (it was always over-diluted and very warm). As long as she had her book and we had our buckets and spades, were were happy to spend the day, swimming and playing, occasionally running back to base for sustenance.
Spot my Cath Kidston/Tesco bags!
It really is a beautiful spot and uncrowded, even at this time of year. We indulged in a spot of dune sliding which involved throwing all maturity out the window and belting it down the sand dunes as fast as you could while trying to stay upright and minimising the amount of sand collected in your underwear on route! Great fun, felt like those old school holiday days again.
Hope you're enjoying the sun too, wherever you are. Before I go, a big thank you to Heidi who has passed on to me a "Brillante Weblog" award. I am so chuffed! You must go and read Heidi's blog - Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly. It is one of the most enthusiastic and imaginitive blogs out there. Thanks again! I am supposed to pass this onto 7 other deserving bloggers but it would take me forever to choose so I will dedicate it to all of my favourites in my sidebar. So ladies, best frocks on and speeches prepared, this one's for you...
{Drum roll}
Heather!!
If you'd like to email me at little_blue_door@yahoo.co.uk with your postal address with a little bit about yourself so I can tailor your "mystery gifts" and a brown paper package will magically wing it's way to you!
We're all having a holiday at home this week. Little boy is going to spend his first night camping in the garden in a very small tent that daddy's feet stick out of. I will of course be on standby at 3am with hot chocolate and cuddles when it all goes pear-shaped.
Back soon. x
Co-co the caravan from the Ladybird book "Tootles the Taxi" a childhood favourite of mine. Leaves a warm glow, doesn't it?
It just so happens that this is my 50th post on Clover Yard. I'm so glad I began this blog. Apart from anything, it got me through a very dreary winter and it continues to be a pleasure to post about my weekly potterings. The wonderful bonus of it all is sharing it with like-minded individuals. There I was, going through life thinking that I must be the only one who loved, just for the sake of it, colourful ribbon, flowery pillowcases, faded eiderdowns, teapots and flowery china teacups...you get the picture, when all along - there you were, loving those things too. I'm so glad we met.
As a small token of my friendship I am giving away one of the blue spotty Cath Kidston Eco bags from Tesco (minus the groceries!). I will be including another couple of mystery treats too. I know that in some parts of the country these bags have been a little hard to come by (probably because the Scottish contingency are snapping up 4 at a time - oops). Just leave a comment and I will choose the lucky winner from a draw on Friday 18th July.
Special birthday wishes go to little boy who was 4 yesterday. Didn't we have a lovely day little one. The party is on Saturday but this was my favourite bit - tea, scones and cake at the kitchen table with grannies and granda and auntie, just like I remember as a child.
Where have the last 4 years gone? x
There are some beautiful old houses in our village with walled gardens and as I walk by them I often imagine what is over those high walls. I was in for a treat today as for one day a year, around 10 private gardens open their gates and let nosey parkers like myself have a wander around. Some of these gardens were beyond my imagination, I really did feel like Alice in Wonderland.
I couldn't find the rabbit hole, but do mind your head on the little blue door...
Must stop and smell the apricot roses...
I wonder where this leads to...
Pretty cottage borders of blue delphiniums and fiery alstromeria...
I wouldn't mind a little peek in this window...
Let's stop for a rest at this dreamy oasis...
Such a pretty combination, aqua and pink don't you think?
A novel way of recycling those glass bottles, better than a poke in the eye!
Now just you sit down here and I'll be back soon with some cream teas.
If I could just find that little door again...
