The 60th Birthday Present

What a lovely gift - not to have more things but to acquire a little experience in flower arranging with some tips on how to, and how not to! Also, I was looked after - refreshments and help provided. It was a real treat. Thanks to all my contributors.

The first item was a table centrepiece in a round bowl - and how to make the yellow lillies curl round - it was rather Uri Geller like. But the science behind it is simple.You strip off a thin layer of outer stem and support, and it bends on stroking gently. Like the plastic beads threaded onto steel grass.

The major work (!) was a one sided (don't look at the back) decoration with some bird of paradise flowers, gerbera, proteus and lillies plus the back bone of aspidestra leaves curved and strengthened by thin coloured wooden strips. All too easy to tear the leaves .. so care needed. At first I thought mine was a disaster but as the display was built up, it went alright. We were copying a display and every step was demonstrated to help. So no excuses right?

And the class was so quick that there was time for a little table piece using 'leftovers'and we still finished early. The pieces were all packaged up for us so I was able to come home on the bus.... we left the watering until arriving home - that saved on the weight.

So now I'm thinking about conditioning flowers and sharp florists scissors and large surface area to absorb maximum water ..and I have a sheet of hints... It was a really useful experience and finished too soon.

Leerestademoda.com - Did you know the BOOK? English subtitles

I have so enjoyed this that I thought I must capture it on here. I did think for a moment that it was about the BOOK OF BOOKS but no. Still it is a very humerous take on our technological age. And our guests enjoyed the Spanish without subtitles of course!

After the snow, weddings, baby etc

After the snow:

January, February and March (so far) have been busy. First there was a wedding cake to make for Miss Erel: A rich fruit cake in three tiers with marzipan and royal icing and then making the 'Tuesday Meeting' roses and leaves in gold - it was gold and umber and a coppery colour mixture. Very relieved when that was all done.

But next came February with a new baby for Susanna due on the 20th (but babies come when they will don't they?). So Grandma booked a week's leave and a cottage in Landkey and set off on another adventurous drive in Willy Fog, leaving Grandpa to follow on a few days later. He was looking after a visiting Pastor from the Philippines and representing the family at another wedding.

Duly arriving safely in the goodness of the Lord, Grandma had a good time waiting for the new baby with Mummy, Dan and Matt. But the new baby was waiting for Grandpa to arrive and, sure enough, after he was safely installed at the cottage, the midwife was busy looking after Mummy. Dan and Matt had an exciting time staying in the cottage with Grandpa and Grandma over Thursday night. 'Grandpa noring' giggled Matt at about 5am and then while Grandma waited for the dawn, Dan awoke due to a bad dream, so we all piled into the big bed and Grandpa said, 'Who is kicking Grandpa in the back?' More giggles. It was ten to seven, so we got up, had breakfast and got Dan ready for school.

Then Daddy came for the boys to come home and see Mummy and Sam before school! And then there were three boys! A bunch of boysenberries.

Before they went home Grandpa and Grandma took the older two to Rock Park and had a bracing time on the swings and roundabouts.

And then.. back to London and yes, another wedding for Jo and Stuart - but this time the church flowers, not the cake. Still a bit nerve racking for all that!

For Daniel

Dear Daniel,

Sorry to hear that you were not able to go to school because of the snow yesterday and today. The picture with the Citroen Berlingo in was taken yesterday morning just after you phoned me.

Then, later yesterday afternoon we had a blizzard which didn't last long and not a lot of snow settled. So that this morning the same view looks like photo number 2. I left the Berlingo at the tabernacle yesterday afternoon because the gas fuel supply isn't working and it has gone to a garage today.

Do you think that the second picture is more snowy than the first one? We didn't have enough snow for a snowman like yours did we?The other picture is a photo of Grandpa at Kew gardens on his last birthday just after he had unwrapped a present from Auntie Miim! What do you think he is thinking?
Here is another birthday - this time Auntie Miriam's last December and she is trying hard to cut the famous chocolate smartie cake (made by Auntie Verity who is also getting herself into the picture).

Not long until you have a birthday now! Do you think the snow will have melted by then?

Snow makes everything look lovely. The Bible says that though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow. Only if someone else has blotted them out though. Who is that special someone, do you know? And did you know that you can have a second birthday a spiritual birthday when that happens?

with love from Grandma xx

Nat and the Birthday Cake

Once upon a time Nat became two. How very odd when he was only one. But so it was.

During the evening of this auspicious occasion (when Nat became two), BAMPAR & BAMMA & Auntie Verity came to tea.

And Mummy had made a birthday cake. And then she lit the candles. What an odd thing this was - Mummy set fire to my birthday cake. Is this a right and proper thing to do?

At first I wasn't sure!

But then they all sang to me, 'Happy Birthday dear Nathanael 'so I guess it was alright. Anyway the chocolate cake recipe worked very well! And Smarties for a Smart Lad! Number two in smarties. But I don't know why there were six candles, maybe it was two for Mummy, two for Daddy and two for me?

All six candles' worth!

It's Snow White

A romantic snapshot of the old homestead on this day Monday 2nd February 2009.

When the world turned all white. And I was snowballed by a retired gentleman (mentioning no names). Armed only by a soft broom I swept to the rescue of W FOG who was completely blanketed by 20 cms (that's eight inches) of the white stuff. And then also to NeMO's rescue. It was a little bit of exercise.

And look - a snow monster - well only a small one!

Wonderful stuff snow.

It covers up what lies beneath. A lovely garment of pure white.

I view the MRI scans

Amazingly today I see
The inside of my head
The sinuses and eyes and nose
In slices, ts, ls those
Are looking good
And so I should
Feel fine. But woe is
Me I have to see
A neurologist instead.