Grown your own

I was away for a couple of weeks recently. By the end I was really looking forward to getting home and seeing how my vegetable garden was faring.

We have purple sprouting broccoli, brussel sprouts, courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, spring onions, garlic, strawberries, peas, carrots, beetroot, sweet corn, herbs, lettuce. I think that's it.

I have been inspired by displays I have seen at WW2 events, where we were all told to grow our own.

Last night we used the first of the purple sprouting broccoli to make this, only we used toasted pine nuts instead of the cheese.

Clovelly

It's been donkey's years since I visited Clovelly. I can confirm, it's still picture postcard pretty.

The man of the house who is from the NE said 'It's just like Staithes only more expensive'. Spoken like a true Yorkshireman :)

From a historical point of view, Clovelly had Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies and Staithes had Captain James Cook, the famous explorer.

My favourite illustration from The Water Babies, by Jessie Wilcox Smith.

Wu and Wu article

I just came across this really interesting but rather shocking article about manufacturing in Britain in 2012. The worst thing is, I believe every word of it. I recognise that frustration of thinking, 'why can't people just do their jobs?'

Interesting that their textiles have grown so much, and the turnover to profit ratio.

copyright Wu and Wu

Adorable cushions!

Misako Mimoko

I've posted about this lady's work before, but thought I would see what she is up to now.

I love the smiley face on that kite, it is so friendly.

She doesn't seem to be doing her dolls at the moment. This little fella is a slice of cheese. Funny!

A little trip out

What a hoot! We drove through a village called Fairy Cross and ended up in a gnome sanctuary. This lady started it for her children 34 years ago. It is now a little family business. How cute, both the sanctuary and the lady.

Home away from home

Wherever I am, I seem to have a compulsive urge to make it look as nice as possible. I find myself arranging things, and if I can't make it look nice, I tidy, put things away, so at least it's neat.

So here I am at my Mum's and somehow I seem to have taken over the place. The African heads are hers, from Nigeria. Do you remember the lady from the auction? Well, I got her. The style of painting is so loose and confident the artist makes it look almost as though she wasn't even fully trying. That's skill for you.

Rachel Powell

This is the super cool work of a friend of mine. She specialises in surface pattern, which she applies to any surface she can think of. She even etches pattern on to wood. Definitely one to watch! And I'm not the only one who thinks so.

She has a website and a facebook page where there is always something new and exciting to see.

If you want to see her work in person go to New Designers or Tent.

http://springsummerautumnwinter.co.uk/lighting

www.oliverheath.com/blog/2011/10/pattern-application-repetition-for-rejuvenation/

Happy Midsummer

Nobody does Midsummer like the Scandinavians.

It is a great excuse to eat sandwich cake, wear flowers in your hair, dance and drink.

This website has some great pictures. 

Whatever you are doing, enjoy!

Johnny Cash - San Quentin

I just fancied a song, and for some reason this one came to mind.

All in the best possible taste

I've really enjoyed the Grayson Perry series in which he has looked at the taste of the different classes in the UK.

I've enjoyed his intelligent and inquisitive approach and the fact that he has thrown himself in and tried to understand the different tastes and all the complex and subtle reasons why people make the choices they do. It ended up almost more social anthropology than aesthetics.

Here are some of the tapestries he produced to tell the stories he heard.

Working class

Middle class

Upper class

Of the three, the one that appeals to me the most is the Upper class one. It tells a powerful tale. I like the reference to hunting and I see a nod to a painting I have always loved in the couple beneath the tree; Gainsborough's Mr and Mrs Andrews.

I can resist anything except temptation

I've just been down to do a viewing at the local auction. It was my friend's fault. She tempted me.

There were quite a few things I could happily throw money at. How about this painting which reminds me of Seraphine de Senlis?

Or these staddle stones, which I keep going on about?

Or this lovely oil painting of a lady who looks like a young Elizabeth Taylor?

Here's a close up. It's by an artist called Lilian Buchanan.

Two hours of summer

We weren't prepared to waste them, so off we went a-walking in Devonshire.

This little village was mentioned in the Domesday book. These were the 'landes of Queen Matilda' wife of William the Conqueror.

Most of the gravestones outside the 14th Century church belonged to people born in the 1700s.

As children we had a Ladybird book called Kings and Queens of England. I remember Matilda, I think she is the one with plaits on the right. I had no idea what a scary woman she was!

Camping

My favourite campsites are the little hidden away ones with few people on them and not too many facilities. I like to feel like it's an adventure. Having said that I do like to take rugs and proper duvets. I'm a bit of a sucker for nice things.

So I've just been googling about camping and here's something I haven't heard of before. What a great idea. I think it might be quite new?

pinecrestresort.blogspot.co.uk

Nice tent at www.bakerandbell.com

www.prettynostalgic.co.uk