What I remember, some days were lost.

Eldest daughter got married on 27th, 

here in a photo with her 2 sons and new husband and his 2 sons. 

 Youngest daughter, with hubby and Will

 Myself and youngest daughter.

Izzy, Javier and Paula.

 My loom is out, I packed it away whilst friends were here.

 I have matched most of the colours, just two to purchase.

 My Spanish friend purchased this book for me, 

I normally do not buy new books, preferring to read 2nd hand books.

The past 11 days have rushed by, the bug I had left me very weak and unwell, at one point we feared it was the Norovirus, we think it was the same bug I had earlier in the month, youngest daughter had it twice as well. We spent loads of days apart to ensure it does not bounce between each other again. We are now bug free. I cut out coffer for 9 days, so I am trying to ensure I now only have 1 or 2 cups per day, plus my eating is still not back to normal, some days I just don't want much at all.
Our friends from Spain arrived as I recovered, but we managed to have some fun. Took a trip to the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth, it was a perfect day to look out over all the local landmarks, we walked along our local shore, went to Portchester Castle and also Lee on the Solent. I love how when showing friends our local sights, you realise how lucky we are to live in a lovely location, with so much to do close by. Even with our pound being weakened by all the Brexit issues, prices here in UK are still much higher than in Spain, so we walked through shops but did not buy much. I got a couple small stocking filler toys for Will's Christmas stocking, I looked at loads of clothes but happily walked past everything.
We ate loads of British meals and had loads of treats, Javier has never been to UK before, so it was fun seeing he discover so many new things.
My plan for the rest of this week is to do very little, we sorted the house yesterday and most of the laundry is done, the spare room is all tidy and the bed is remade ready for our next visitor. I would like to do more stitching, it feels great not to have to do things every day, and have time for ourselves, back to our slow pace.

Ready

The back section has been cleared

both hubby and I worked in the garden all day.

This little greenhouse is broken and will be removed once we build the big one. The treated timbers will be fixed to the ground and the greenhouse will be on top, on the long fence side they lay on the soil. The ground is very hard and if you dig down there are loads of tree roots, so we made the decision to use treated wood as our base. The second greenhouse now lives with our neighbour over the road. 

We dug out the raised garden, hubby cut it down to just under six foot, it will fit inside the greenhouse along the back. I will have space for my table and chairs at this end, I do like to sit here with a cup of coffee when I am working.  The center of the greenhouse will have this concrete base, which is nicer.

 We will have a path to the corner behind our new arch, another small growing area. The greenhouse took up alot of this space so it's extra for me.  I have my corner shelves there for the moment until I can decide what to have there. 

 I got a cheap arch, put up each side and used these bendy pipes from the raised garden, does not look much this year but early next year I will get the rose growing up the sides. it does look a bit high, I can cut the white shorter if needed. 

 I am missing planting things

so I made this little pot for the office

but I have decided to keep it in our bathroom

My greenhouse arrives on Tuesday, so I am pleased we have cleared the area, we are back in Somerset this coming weekend, it's been planned for ages, so I will have to wait for a while before we get the greenhouse together. I have asked hubby to make me a potting table with a shelf below, he will use wood and ensure it is the perfect height for me. I will need so staging for the other side, but I am not going to make any purchases, I want to see how I use it before filling it.
I have promised I will move all the pots from our office window sill, and all the orchids around the house.
We finished outside and have just had the best shower ever, and now enjoying a well earn't cup of coffee.
We have made a wedding book from all the photo's, I placed the order today, I got a 40% off voucher which I used, I was able to get the nice weight paper and finish and still not have a book too expensive.
Last night I stitched hexagons, I managed to do half of the ones I cut out last weekend. Later tonight I am going to sit and cut out paper templates. I also have another book to start reading. I have done more on my Christmas tree, I will show you that next time.

 For Rachael

pages 1 and 2, plus 3 and 4 

So many flowers

Yea tulips

promise in a pot

 and just to prove to myself

another pot of tulips

it's obvious I can grow them in pots. 

 Beautiful flowers 

 The yellow is like sunshine

gift to both mums on Saturday

 I love flowers on the kitchen window sil

Just a couple more, all dressed up

 It's nice to have all the family together

plus our 4 grandsons

Later tonight we are popping to youngest daughter and her husbands house, tomorrow I move in for 10 days to cat sit, they are off to Thailand. I am planning a restful and me time.
I have not done any cross stitch, the next partof Joyful World is out, so I will do that next. I have also stitched some more hexagons, I will take both with me tomorrow and a good book, not that I have a book to hand, I might get one for my iPad.

Wedding day

A beautiful and fun day  enjoyed by everybody

our youngest daughter and her new husband. 

 I love the reverse of the wedding cake

both are F1 lovers

 1st dance, or in Davids case 

1st shuffle

The weather was kind, it did rain, but we got all the outside photo's sorted, we all enjoyed a perfect day, every thing went smoothly, the venue and staff were wonderful. But most of all the Bride and Groom had a perfect day. Two families have joined.
We are waiting for every one to come here for lunch, we have prepared a huge chillie or Paella, every one gets a good lunch before their long drive home.
Enjoy your weekend.

I have a badge

Josh and Sam saw this 

and purchased it for me

How true in our household.

 I am fed up with winter clothes

so today I wore a dress to work

I got this the other weekend, goes well with the green cardi. 

 Successful trip on Monday night with Su

I love this style of jacket, the 3/4 arm length really suit me

I have navy shoes and bag. 

 Last night I cut out more hexagons

I used a whole fat quarter, so loads of sewing to do

I was asked, this box I got from Hobbycraft £18

expensive but it does do the job so very well. 

 Still attacking this, not had so much time in the last few days

but it is all working out well.

Did anyone watch back in time for the weekend on BBC2, one family of had their house and lifestyles changed to reflect a year (per day) from 1950 to 1999, it was very interesting, showing how gadgets and phones have changed our lives, and how the wife of the house became liberated.  A really interesting series showing our changing social history, for me 70's on wards showed loads of things which were part of my life and fun to see again. Plus the last of Shetland, I did not see that ending coming, a great plot. We taped Happy Valley, and will watch it at weekend.

It's so nice to be able to dress up for work, not having to wear a pass means I can start wearing my necklaces, the office is comfortable warm, which is good considering I work for a company who produce heaters. The new role is shaping up well, it's all about the detail, it was also pleasing to hear our boss say it's not about how quick things have to be done, it's about doing it all right. My commute is working out well, I'm not too long in the car, and the petrol consumption whilst higher is not too bad, plus of course I did get a pay increase.
I'm feeling positive again this week, our never ending winter always gets to me in March, like everyone else I so want April to be here, much lighter nights warmer weather and out in the garden.
I'm off sewing machine is out, I have to take up hubby golf trousers tonight or he won't have anything to wear tomorrow (the other 4 pairs just won't do), then I hope to get some making up of stiched projects done.

15 anyone

We popped to Chichester today, loads of independent shops

 I got some more patchwork fabric, 

plus black material for the back of Sheffield cushion

 Another new author

This is my book for March

I was given a web site 'read it swap it' and suggested I have a look

it's a must for book lovers so I have registered. 

I did buy two dresses

My shopping trip for a wedding outfit was a bit of a disaster, I found loads of lovely fitted dresses, in styles I love, but a size 14 was rather snug and in every case the size 16 was too big, so I need a size 15, which no one sells. Both dresses above are a size 14 and both fit well, the plain one from Wallace and the other from Laura Ashley. I saw loads of lovely Jackets, but did not purchase any today, I still have a few weeks. I am thinking the plain Navy with a nice Jacket, gold shoes and bag. Both hubby and I had enough of shopping. We did go into a huge craft, fabric and everything shop, hubby was bored.
Our meal last night was good, the pub was a bit of a drive, but it was a foodie place, we both had two courses and would go there again. The bottle of bubbly stayed in the fridge, I'm such a light weight these days, but the plan is to pop it tonight. We had an early meal so hubby could be back to watch his beloved Wales beat France, so I managed to stitch a few simple rows.
Tomorrow I am out with daughter, going to wedding venue, checking everything is in place.

Glitter every where

All finished

 Up close, very bling

 Menu card (navy)

Invitation card (navy)

Accommodation card (silver)

(extra sliver card in photo just to show you full effect)

RSVP and envelope (white)

 I purchased a pack of cheap invitations to use for a topper on the band

I also used the envelopes

 Evening invitations

much the same just a bit simpler

I put all the wording onto labels which was placed on the back of the cards, this ensured all the white backgrounds looked the same. I cut bands to hold the cards together, and slit into the top card to thread the band through, so I did not need to use glue. The small RSVP envelopes  were hard to find, in the end I brought some cheap save the date cards and used the envelopes, much cheaper than purchasing small envelopes on their own.
Other than the white card, which I always keep in my stock drawer, I had to purchase every thing else, and checking all the prices, each card cost 69p to produce, which is calculated on every thing I purchased, even if it was not used. Evening cards cost 48p each, not so many layers.
I do have loads of gold sheets not used, it was a pain to have to buy mixed packs, but it was still cheaper than getting them off the internet, I did not need huge numbers which would have given me a better discount. I also have half the glitter card left, these will be kept for card making.
My office space is covered with glitter, I did clean it twice last night, but it's going to take a while to get rid of it all.
It rained all day yesterday, so a good use of my time. We did pop out once, we went to Waitrose on checking on line we found they had our coffee on discount, plus my cordial was also on a buy two for £5, and I required two bottles one for home and one for work.  Josh was very tired, so we did not see him, but he phoned with all the fun he had, he wants to go back which is a very good sign he enjoyed himself.
The hope this morning is to get the garden jobs done, it is very windy here, but dry.

Sunday afternoon

We had Sunday lunch out just on the edge of Fareham creek

 It was much brighter than shown here

The water calm, loads of swans and other birds.

This is tidal so we were lucky not to be looking out onto mud

 New Place, Shirrell Heath, I love these gates

 Such a beautiful building, I love red bricks

perfect for a wedding

 From the back courtyard

The hotel is stunning and the grounds huge and lovely. Every thing is booked, just menu's to be sorted, out side of Fareham, a nice country location.
Su will pop in later this week and sort of the final printing for the invitations, I have to make templates and cut all the different sized cards. Other than the printing I have everything we require, so they should all be finished by Friday.
I broke my drink free October, we had a glass of champagne on arriving at the hotel and without thinking I took one. Later at our meal I realized what I had done, oh well,  will stay dry for the rest of the month.
I picked up Josh and Sam from school, school had another parents evening, so they had tea with me and I was lucky enough to be able to put Sam to bed, Josh again had a good report, he was a bit worried with his math's but his teacher is happy, Sam is just too cute and everyone loves him, both were good boys.
Hubby is driving back from Somerset, he has had time with Logan and Finn and will be home much later, I'm off to read my book,  I am tired, bad night last night, so no stitching.

My niece is married

My niece Sophie looked stunning

With her family

I took far too many photo's

But I'm happy with the relaxed ones,showing every one having fun. 

The wedding day was fine and bright, it was a small wedding, all about family, they had thought of ways to keep the children entertained and happy, a true family affair. Sophie's style was country meets vintage, they had decorated the garden area and trees and in the evening under loads of candle light it was again very pretty. Sophie had loads of little fish every where, her dad, my brother loved his fishing, it was a lovely touch. With them living in the edge of Stratford-on-Avon, which is 3 hours drive from us,  it was lovely to meet their friends and Rich's family. It was also nice to chat with her mum, last time we spoke was 10 years ago at another family do. We also had a lovely evening out with my sister and her partner on Wednesday evening, we were directed to a small town close by to our hotel, we went back on Thursday morning for a bit of shopping.

This wool called to me

it's 4 ply and the colours are stunning, I got 5 balls

enough to make a summer top. 

We found a tea shop

they made pots of tea with real tea, no bags

very vintage.

I got two books

Breaking the silence for 50p, looks interesting

Summer at Shell cottage for £4, 

I seen this being read by loads of people

both to be packed for our holiday

We spent Friday and Saturday night in Cannington, 

Friday was with Logan, Finn, mummy and daddy, loads of laughter and catching up, sharing pizza and family news.
Saturday we had the day with Martin my brother, and popped into his local town, Bridgwater, it's a small town and very run down, few branded shops, just full of phone and charity shops. Gone are the record and dress shops I remember from my teen years.
Saturday night another meal out, but this time in the village, there is a great place to eat, so while the thunder rolled around us we sat, ate and laughed.
This morning we drove home in heavy rain, but now the sun is out and it's warm again.
We are very sadden by the air crash in the Shoreham air show, which is not too far from us, we know the road and junction well, one car was a wedding car going to pick up the bride, so many families affected. As for the French train, thank goodness for the bravery of the three Americans they saved every ones lives, the news is saying they were sat near the toilet and heard the suspect sorting his gun and heard the clicks and guessed what he was doing.

Proud Parents

Our last guest have gone home, and it's just Kev and me at home.
Su and Gav have gone to north Wales for a few days,
Fliss is home from hospital on bed rest, we will pop in again today to check she is OK, she is still upset she missed her sister getting married, but Steve her hubby is looking after her and Josh.

I wanted to show you a couple more photo's,
above is us, with Su and Gav
and below is Gav's mum and dad.

Today is my third chemo day, so I have nothing planned for the rest of the week. I will sit and sew most days, I have done very little on my cushion front, I have 15 squares to stitch, I hope to finish it in the next week or two.

Sunshine and Smiles

Yesterday the sun came out, first time in over a week.

Su and Gav had a perfect wedding and we all had a great time.
Below are just a few photo's of our day.

Su's style was very simple and it suited her,
ladies wore their beautiful summer dresses, a very colourful day.
The church is in the background of these shots.

The photo is taken from inside the church looking out.

We are the most proud parents, and our new son-in-law is such a special person.

Shannon was not a bridesmaid, she was a princess. Josh and her walked with Su up the isle looking sweet.

Josh with Grancha, before we left for the church, he was a good boy and did all his duties with a smile.

One very sad note, Fliss was taken into hospital on Friday for bed rest, we are all sorry she missed her sister getting married, both Fliss and the baby are Ok, but we are looking forward to her coming home, we have kept loads form the day for her.

Today we are having a BBQ, it's a drop in day, before everyone starts their drive home, we have family who came from Somerset (over 100 miles drive), The sun is shinning again, we are so very lucky.