Monday 18 February 2008

My Kingdom for a horse..............

It has been another glorious weekend here in the Cotswolds, the sun has been shining for days but it's still incredibly cold. I love it, this is my favourite weather.

Mum and I ventured to Stratford-on-Avon on Saturday for her 60th birthday treat. We bought her tickets for "Richard III" at the RSC Courtyard Theatre. It wasn't really Dad's cup of tea (ie. not involving a fishing rod) so I got to go with her - hee, hee! I was a bit unsure about watching a Shakespeare play having had no involvement with him since A Levels. I was a bit concerned that I may not understand it. I needn't have worried, it was fantastic! I'm well and truly hooked. It was the last of eight plays, a series called "The Histories". If you get a chance, get yourselves along there, it was a great experience, truly memorable. We spent the afternoon eating cakes, drinking tea and enjoying the atmosphere. It was lovely to spend time with Mum without any interruptions.

Sunday morning Mum had to go back up North, my sister is due to have her baby any day soon, I'm hoping she'll hang on until Wednesday when we'll be going to my parents for a few days.
Ian and I were supposed to tackle the basement rooms to clear them for the decorators, but after stamping around, shouting at the children and generally being bad tempered (me, that is) we decided "sod it" and went out to enjoy the sunshine instead. Before we went we all devoured the seafood platter Ian bought us as a treat. It was delicious and cost us a lot less than lunch out would have done. The remains are here for your delectation............attractive eh!


We came back and whilst Ian attempted to make some order out of the slum downstairs (before and after pics soon) I pretended to be busy upstairs. We put a bit of Neil Diamond on the ipod and had a good old dance in the kitchen. We (Ian not included) love a bit of Neil, particularly "Sweet Caroline" and some of Jack's dance moves have to be seen to be believed! My children will not dance in public but in the privacy of our kitchen they let rip. Jack must be the only eight year old who can identify Barry Manilow being played in a shop, what am I doing to them??

I'll finish with a couple of home shots again. Since I started the blog I notice things around the house a lot more than I used to. Helps me to ignore the general chaos which is around the place at the moment!

First, I love the colour of this soap and one of my car boot freebies, the saucer it sits on. After it's taken me ten minutes to turn the flipping shower off with the screwdriver (don't ask) it makes me smile to see a nice bit of our otherwise dilapidated bathroom..............

Kit's bedtime toys "put to bed" under the eiderdown on our bed. All around our house we find various creatures tucked in under blankets, tea towels, kitchen roll or whatever is to hand.......



My "granny grater" I bought in London from "Octopus". Isn't she cute? She cost me three times as much as my excellent and practical Ikea grater and she isn't half as efficient, but she's much better looking!.............


Have a great week if you're on half term or not. I'm getting a bit suspicious, my two have been together upstairs for an hour (hence the long post!) and it's ominously quiet! I'll probably go up and find Kit's been bound and gagged by her loving big bro'!

27 comments:

Claire said...

Hiya, glad you had a good weekend, sounds like the sought of thing I would do if we are all bad tempered and should be cleaning up. Glad you had a nice time with your mum....just to let you know that I've tagged you, check out my latest posting to find out what to do. xx

Garden Girl said...

Oh dear- quiet children+Half term= mischief! Go upstairs quick!!
I love Stratford, Rob and I go most weekends, it's a bit less manic than Cheltenham-have you been to Carluccios?They do the best coffee ever. I love the park there and the walks along the river.Wasn't it a beautiful weekend?xx

Nonnie said...

The grater lady is fantastic! Sounds like you had a lovely time in Stratford. I'm off up to Mum and Dads on Thursday and might suggest a trip to Stratfor as they're only about half an hour away. Keep meaning to go to the Theatre there. Haven't been since Uni when we overdosed on three plays in 24 hours - Shakespeare and Chekov! Hope you enjoy the rest of half term week. I've got the week off but obviously no children around so busy getting lots done. Good luck to your Sis as well.

Anonymous said...

Poor old Richard III some would say that Shakespeare maligned him. Still s great story though.
Carolyn
http://willowhouse.typepad.com

gayle said...

I love the photographs. My favourite is the fabric of the duvet. Really fantastic. My 3 also tuck toys up in bed a lot. They made paper toys last week and they all had beds. Little bratz go well into bedroom slippers too. Thanks for calling by my blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi, it sounds like you've had a busy weekend. Sometimes it's good just to leave everything and go out. My favourite fairly local place for a day out is Bakewell in the Peak District...all kinds of shops and cafes and a river to walk by. This weather is so good...enjoy!
Margaret and Noreen

Ali said...

Silence is usually worrying...

Love your grater. I always have an oggle in Octopus when I walk by. But miserly hubby always puts me off by stating the obvious (isn't that rather expendive for an x?). Yes, but it's SOOO sweet.

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Julia, yes well, we don't mention WHO'S responsible for the mess, do we ;-) Love that grater lady!
Lucy x

mollycupcakes said...

LOl you know they are up to something naughty when it all goes quiet.
You must tell us what you found.
What a lovey birthday for your Mum. Mines the big 60 this year and we'll be with her in Ireland. Can't wait. Wish she could come and stay. But sadly no, Dad can't fly anymore :(

Hoping to visit you soon over the next few months. Looking forward to our coffee.

Have a lovely week and I'm watching out for the birdie photos.

Hugs

Catherine x

Sal said...

Sounds like an idyllic day.
I always go to Shakespeare in the Gardens,each summer,in Exeter.I love that.
The grater is so cute! Sal;-)

French Knots said...

Mine have been anything but quiet so far this half term - too busy arguing and bickering!
Love your grater, even if it doesn't grate well.

Anonymous said...

I love that grater, I must find an octopus so i can have one too!! Isn't it funny how style over function wins? I bought an Alessi kettle and it's so awkward you have to take the bird off the top each time, but it looks soo nice! dotty x

gayle said...

You have been tagged. Please see my blog for details!

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Oh my what a treat you rteally are back blogging, just sat down and enjoyed catching up, you will have to go back on my daily read list now your back!!!

Deb said...

Sounds like an absolutely wonderful time with your Mum to celebrate her birthday. I love your whimsical box grater :-} and all the little stuffed toys nestled into bed!

Linda said...

You are definitly teaching your children the right sort of music to listen to, we all love Neil, Elvis, CCR, and many more. My boys can always recognise the music being played in shops and elevators because they have great taste.
Cheers Linda

jessica daisy said...

Ella does the same thing, I always come across a makeshift dolls or teddys bed, usually in the middle of the floor somewhere, cute, but not great if you trip up on it!
Sounds like you had a lovely time with your mum.

The grater is fab, I've been in that shop, but they didn't have them in then, and I seemed to remember is was packed full of people, and very small for a shop in london, everyone was shuffling about each other trying not to knock anything over with their bags.

I hope your sisters birth goes ok, and keep those kids dancing to diamond, they'll thank you for it when they get older.

Jessx

Curlew Country said...

Oh you do make me smile Julia!
Ace post and thanks also for revealing that you can listen to an ipod without the headphones (yes, we're in the Stone Age - Woody has been given one and is a total luddite - "what do I do with it"??)
Love the toys all tucked up, and who needs a practical grater anyway - life's too short!
Enjoy the rest of half-term.
Stephx

Ragged Roses said...

I always begin to worry when its quiet in this house too!!! Never a good sign, not very normal for here! I have been to Stratford since I was at school but I remember the trip really well. Hope you got the basement sorted, although getting out to enjoy the sunshine sounds like a better idea!
Kimx

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

Hi Julia:

I've noticed everyone has a flowering plant in their posts, are we desperate for colour? Hmmm...

That little roses/paisley blanket is so scrummy looking, again, blanket envy.

Oh, and give the knitting/crochet a try. If you need help, just ask. Easy peasy.

Lisa xo
Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

prettyshabby said...

Hi julia,they are gorgeous tulips..and how sweet to find teddies tucked up in bed, I used to find horrid plastic bugs or action figures down my bed. hmmm that's boys for you I suppose!
best wishes, Sairer

Jasminé said...

What a charming blog!
I love that you take random pics around your house to post, I do the same and I agree with you - I am also noticing my house alot more now that I have joined the blogging world!
My little sweet boy also tucks his animals into bed,its the loveliest thing to find - I don't want to move them!
x

Carol said...

Hi Julia,
I have been so behind with my blog visits and have just had a nice long read through - some lovely photos there are too!
It is so true about noticing things in the house that you would not have done before - I guess we all look more closely with posts in mind!!!
I love Startford, we are off this evening to our cottage in the Cotswolds for a rest! may pop to Stratford for a change.
I wish we could just stay there but work in London still demands.
Have a great weekend.
Carol x

Racheal Miles said...

I love the photos.

Racheal x

Summer by the sea said...

Hi Julia, I have loved reading about your vintage finds, I can't wait for the car boots to start up again here after the Winter (April 8th is the first one) - I'm pretty new to thrifting (and blogging) but I think I am going to enjoy it! - Natalie x

Betty said...

I love the story about dancing in the kitchen. It reminds me so much of when my children were young and we danced to the "Dirty Dancing soundtrack".

Kathy said...

Hello - I am now back from my (lovely) holiday and catching up on blogs! Thank you for such lovely photos and adore your pillowcases. The picnic set is gorgeous too I am very envious!!xx