Every day is a special day...

Until I become the 'mother of the bride' at the wedding of Rhiannon and Stuart at The Ashes, Endon, near Leek.

Exciting times ahead, and counting...:o))

E day…

Embroidery day. I was persuaded to sign up for a free motion machine embroidery course run by Jo Hill, a very talented local textile artist. Now anyone who knows me will probably agree that I have the creativity of a gnat and the sewing skills of a nanognat.

Undaunted, I dug out my old Brother sewing machine which we bought in 1983 for £239. Amazingly we paid less than one hundred times more for our house!! I gather that it is now possible to buy a very good machine for less than £70. In fact the darning/free-motion embroidery foot cost £12.95. All that remained was for my resident sewing machine mechanic to service the machine, to blag assorted bits of fabric from friends, have a quick practise using the foot, and I was ready to turn up at Tixall Village Hall full of hope and trepidation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, although it must be said, that with the creativity of a gnat and the sewing skills of a nanognat, it wasn’t always easy! My friends were all very helpful and supportive towards each other. These are the same group of friends that I walk with every Tuesday. Some are very talented and artistic.

As you can see we are all of a certain age!

Lester…

Our work…

Some lovely pieces. My favourite is bottom right, simple with lots of the free motion embroidery for the plants and the barbed wire. Needless to say it isn’t my work! Well done, Sue M.

Which do you think is mine?

Well, this is it. One of those times when I wouldn’t recommend you enlarge the pic!

Not so Q.E.D…

Look who we bumped into (2)...

Blogging on the move!

We've had a lovely day with some very good friends and nearly neighbours, both here and in France.

Aperos...

There was some debate as to whether this should begin at 6.30, or whether we should revert to French time - meaning we could start at 5.30! In the end great restraint was shown and we began at 6.45.

Jean and Nick...

Colin and Elizabeth...

Got to go as we are having a 'rest' before the cheese!

Thanks to Chris and Sally for taking the photographs. Next stop France....

2015...

Posted from my iPad, hence the changes to the usual format. I have to log on with my computer to adjust the size of the photographs.

January 1st.

In our bit of the UK the sky was grey and gloomy, temperatures were mild and there was light drizzle. Hardly the day with which to welcome a new year. 

January 2nd

Today, the weather is cooler, sunny and bright. We've taken our Christmas lights and decorations down, and all that remains to be done is the big, post festivities clean up!

However, the clean up will have to wait until tomorrow. This afternoon we are walking and eating with a group of friends, but before that I need to make a date and apricot, croissant and butter pudding, which will be our contribution to the meal.

The croissants...

Dates and apricots soaking in Cointreau and Amaretto...

The pudding will also contain cream and white chocolate, but with a nod towards healthy eating will be served with low fat creme fraiche!

Watch this space...

The finished pudding...