A Little Posy

My cornflowers have just started to bloom so I proudly picked my first bunch this afternoon.

Summer in a vase!

Stinky Stuff

Man alive but I love TK Maxx. I know the jumble sale inspired layout and quality roulette is not for everyone but I have bought some fandabbiedozie stuff from them (and a croc of plop too sometimes, I must admit!) The most frustrating thing about this shop is that when you do stumble across a product that turns out to be a little gem it's practically impossible to repurchase. Having said that, I did manage to track down another of these candles by CIR, in the scent 'Bay'

They are currently on sale for £5.99 (originally £23) and although they don't burn quite as cleanly as Jo Malone candles (£39 eeek!) this fragrance is equally as effective in filling the room with it's lovely whiff. 

The Talkies

THEY DON'T MAKE EM LIKE THEY USED TO

Eeeeh, when I were lass we had none of this High School Musical nonsense. It was back to back honest to goodness 80's styled fantasy adventure. Disturbing, ridiculous, amusing and the ultimate in escapism. Here's my top 5 in no particular order.

Labyrinth

'You remind me of the babe!'

David Bowie in a pair of leggins that still haunt me to this day.

Ladyhawk

'Find her and the wolf who loves her'

Two lovers cursed to only glimpse each other at sunset, accompanied by man child Matthew Broderick.

The Dark Crystal

'Smells like gelfling, must be gelfling'

A procession of creatures each more horrifying than the next (even the goodies!)

The Never Ending Story

'Call my name Bastian, please!'

So the horse was named after a dubious effect in 80's home decor, I still cried when Artex drowned.

Legend

'I only wanted to touch one!'

The irritating female lead triggers a demonic shift in the balance of her world because she can't keep her bloody hands to herself. Also notable as the film that 'introduced' Tom Cruise.

The Princess Bride

'You killed my father, prepare to die!'

 Adventure, romance, a Spaniard, a giant and speech impediments...genius.

Tasty

YUM YUM PIGS BUM!

Picked our first batch of strawberries today and they are sweeeet!

We also picked the less exciting combo of radish, rhubarb and spring onions.

I hate radish but hey, they take a good picture!

Puppy Love

ARE YOU LOOKIN AT ME?!

I've been asked to make some strange things in my time but chihuahua themed tableware has to be up there with the best. The star of the show is called J.C (Jean Claude - hey, who am I to judge?!) and a birthday tea was themed around this wee beastie. A few cocktail stirrers kicked off the party as I felt this little fella was probably more likely to endorse Piña Colda rather than Real Ale!

Ridonkulous.

Mr Printables

SAVES THE DAY!

Why do card companies assume that men are either interested in sport, alcohol or being abused on a day that is supposed to celebrate fathers?! I looked in a fair few shops before giving up and grudgingly acknowledging I was going to have to make my own Fathers Day card.
I was just racking my brains for ideas when I stumbled across a link to www.mrprintables.com and found this brilliant downloadable card which when assembled, folds out into a 3D tool box.
I think it's incredibly commendable and generous for people to give up their time and talent to create free downloads for everyone. It even came with concise photographic and written instructions which is helpful - especially to someone easily confused, like me!

I did have to point out to Moopa that the tools spelt out 'Happy Fathers Day' - silly Daddy! 

Surprise!

Unbeknownst to me my favourite chicken, a Silkie named Mrs Turvey, (after my old Geography teacher) was being left to hatch some eggs. I gathered said eggs up and put them in a tray for collection. I felt terrible when I found out that she had been sitting on them all weekend and tearfully pronounced myself a chick murderer.
Although the eggs had gone cold they were put back under her and she continued to take her hatching dutities very seriously. So much so, she had to be lifted out for a few minutes every day to be encouraged to eat and drink something.
Imagine my surprise and delight when after 3 weeks of seemingly fruitless dedication on her behalf I lifted her up only to find a beady eye regarding me from depths of the nesting box.
Named 'Kinder' because he was a surprise (geddit?!) I am very fond of this little puff of fluff and I just hope it's not a flippin cockerel, or, if it is, that it doesn't take after its hooligan father. Regardless, well done Mrs T and sorry for doubting you. (And for probably properly murdering your other two offspring)

Mrs Turvey shunning the chick crumb and trying to choke Kinder with big lumps of corn...oh dear!