Blooming Eck It's Been Busy

 Superb bash a few weeks ago put on by Chatsworth for all their staff and volunteers, over 1100 folk. What a night we had, the champagne flowed, the food was fab and the company and venue were top notch. We had a DJ and some live music under a starry sky huge marquee, which was placed next to a river on the estate looking onto a beautifully lit Chatsworth House, sensational. I danced and danced, great fun.

This is me just before we went inside, but already with a lovely cold glass of fizz. Setting the tone.

Following weekend I went to the Lake District to meet up with The Beatrix Potter Society. A long weekend choc full of lovely activities. I'm delighted to have made some new friends, amongst the members. People had travelled from Japan, Canada, America and of course from the four corners of the UK.

I've also been making my own candles and drying some of my garden flowers.

And I have been making plans for my Hand Made Christmas. More of that to come .........

Practical Magic 2

 Me in 'formal attire' just before watching Practical Magic 2. Ha ha.

Doings

 Last Saturday I took the train to the dreaded Manchester to attend an event and to catch up with my lovely son. He has lived in Manchester for many years so I have been often. I do love the galleries and some of the eateries but oh my gosh the noise and the behaviour in the streets. I came home feeling he needed rescuing, I feel he wouldn't agree. Ah my, the generation gap.

For some strange reason I had been invited to attend a meet up for Miniml customers. I have been slowly swopping up my 'normal' household cleaning and washing products for ones supplied by Miniml. The products are fabulous and not only do a good job, are value for money but also make me feel as though I'm protecting my and my family's health. I did a lot of research when I decided to opt for a better choice of household products, Miniml came up trumps.

Anyhoo the event was great fun. A small mixed group of customers were asked to select some new fragrances for future products. We could then make a candle holder, (the event was held in a small pottery), which we could choose to have filled with a candle made with our favourite fragrance. The Miniml team were super nice and they will send me my candle once the pot has been fired.

It doesn't look very exciting I know, but the clay had already been marbled through with different pigments, so no additional decoration was needed. The potter helping us said the different tones would be revealed after it had been in the kiln. I'll show you it once it arrives. I'm going to be saving it for Christmas, very exciting.

I also made a new artistic discovery this week, an artist who I had never seen before. I'm smitten.

Gary Bunt (1957-2025) born in East Peckham. A musician, an artist and so much more. His paintings have bundles of quintessential British charm. How have I never found him before?

Childhood Memories

 

You could be forgiven for thinking these two pictures were taken in some lush Mediterranean city. But no ! It's Clapham Junction no less.

 When I was a child it was always very exciting to visit the hallowed halls of our local department store, Arding and Hobbs. When something very special was needed or when on the rare occasion as children my brother and I were taken to see Santa  Claus it was always here.

I have a fondness for the building. It was built in the late 19th century and had a bit of remodelling after a fire in the early part of the 20th century. It stands now as an Edwardian, Baroque influenced edifice.

It sadly closed its doors during covid. No longer a department store, it holds many little concessions and the top floor now houses a luxury members club. These pictures are of the roof terrace. I cannot tell you how excited I was to visit last weekend with the Mr and my brother, who still lives locally.

How as a child could I ever have imagined being on top of the roof at Arding and Hobbs? It is quite astonishing to me. 

An early photo of the building. What history!

Make Do & Mend A Thrifty Post

 Years ago I followed a wonderful blogger called ' A Thrifty Mrs'.  She would pass on pearls of wisdom that were honestly life changing. She set me on the road of good value and no waste. I miss her thoughtful  contributions. I believe she sold the rights to her brand and probably went on to better things or at least things that required less dedication and hard work.

I have oft mentioned my resentment of companies and manufacturers who are constantly dipping their beaks in my pockets. Items that are poor value or which do not last a reasonable time, really get my goat!

 This week I took offence with my shower puff. I use a plastic puff, I know not good, but the sustainable ones don't work and frankly become unpleasant after a short time.

The problem with my chosen puff is that after a while it starts to unravel, then of course is not so efficient and starts to annoy me. At which point in the past I have purchased another. You can see where this is going.

Well no more I say! I have drawn a line in the sand, so to speak , and I have learnt from the all wise Youtube how to reassemble my puffs. A quiet revelation. Most satisfying.

Plus I have been darning my favourite pure wool socks in preparation for the cooler months, yes they will come.

These socks are ultra thick and cosy but wear through in one particular spot. So now I darn and don't purchase new pairs.

As they say up T'North, money saved is money earned. What thrifty tips would you pass on to other folk at this time of year? Do tell.

Happisburgh Norfolk

 This poor quaint English village is slowly falling into the sea. I believe it has been doing so for many decades now. Measures have been taken over the years to stop the erosion but alas it still progresses.

There are signs along the coastal areas to warn folk of imminent danger.

Famous for it's red and white striped lighthouse built in 1790, and St. Mary's, a beautiful 15th century church.

I was very taken with the medieval stone octagonal font, featuring carvings of Angels, symbols of the Evangelists and my personal favourite, Wildmen (woodwoses) and funny faced adorable Lions.

It would be so sad if all this was lost to the sea. Let's hope the local powers that be continue to fight the erosion.

Harvest Time

 More to do today. My chamomile beds were a fail this year, but I've found some that have self seeded elswhere in the garden. Yippee.