Wednesday 30 May 2012

Big

We went to Waddesdon House today.  We've not been for a while.  On the drive into the grounds there were two tractors, one with a baler and one with wrapper.  It was so interesting, we stopped and watched for a while.
Then we headed for the woodland playground.  On the way we walked past some coaches.  We spent some time looking at the wheels, seeing how tall they were compared to Freddie and Betsy.


The kids went down the massive slide over and over again.  Meg travelled on Freddie lap and loved it!
After our picnic we had an ice cream, and  got the landtrain from the stables back up the hill to the house.


There is a sculpture exhibition on in the grounds at the moment, with some huge interesting pieces of arts to explore.  Our favourites were the teapot, the big chair/packet of cigarettes (odd!) and the brick fist.  We played football for a while, using the teapot as a goal.  Maybe not its intended purpose, but never mind.



Meg liked watching the birds in the aviary. 
Nearby there are two big bird shapes that are normally covered in plants and flowers, a living sculpture.  Today they were being restocked, so we watched the gardeners working.
Freddie and Betsy rolled down a hill, and we had one last look at the beautiful house before heading for home.



Monday 28 May 2012

Sunday 27 May 2012

Recent makings

I've had a few different projects on the go.  I've started to knit hexipuffs, for the beekeepers quilt by Tiny Owl Knits.  It's going to take at least a year, if I do 1 a day.  I wanted a little drawstring project bag for hexipuffing on the go, so I made this:
I've made 20 little hexipuffs so far.  Betsy asks me daily if I've nearly finished!
I bought some gorgeous scandi-style fabric when I was looking for something to make bunting with.  I didn't want anything too Jubilee-ish, and fell in love with this:
I finished the bunting today.  It's going to decorate the front of the house for the street party next weekend.
I've caught up with the Craftsy block of the month for April, but haven't done May yet.  I'm planning on an evening or two of sewing this week,and the BOM is top of my to-do list.
April's were great, my first attempt at English paper piecing.  I wasn't looking forward to it, but I really enjoyed the hand sewing.
My friend went to Sri Lanka earlier in the year and brought me back a big pile of fabric.  I've finally got around to using it.  I made a tiered skirt for Betsy and a gypsy top for Meg, both from Making Children's Clothes by Emma Hardy.

Saturday 26 May 2012

First barbecue of the year

Hot again, blue skies, gorgeous.  We (and probably every other household) decided to have a barbecue.  The shop had sold out of burgers, but I I prefer to buy some mince and make them myself.  Nothing added except salt and pepper.  
The girls busied themselves in the garden while Rob tended to the barbecue.

Dinner was delicious.  Burgers, sausages, salad, potato wedges.  A jug of iced water (I love this jug, it was a secret santa present).

 Freddie ate his next to the barbecue, watching the embers.
I think we'll have another one tomorrow!

Friday 25 May 2012

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual, inspired by soulemama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.



Wednesday 23 May 2012

Footprints

The kids did some painting outside today.  It started off with feet, then eventually they painted their bodies.  I blew up the paddling pool for them to splash around in and clean up a little.  It took ages to fill the pool up (grr hosepipe ban!).

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Outdoor round-up

God you can tell the weather has changed - we're out every day again.  We've been at playgrounds, in the garden, to the woods, along the canal.  Today has been actually hot - sunscreen and pink cheeks all round!
I got a rare photo of the 3 of them (this is the best of a bad bunch...)
We've seen some beautiful flowers, interesting fungi, and such bright green brand new leaves that they made the light luminous.
We've seen an interesting bee (that we're still trying to identify), and potted on some lavender seedlings.
Today we walked along the tow path to the playground.  Well, me and Meg plus two superheroes.
There's a waterfall where a stream empties into the canal.  It's lovely, and we spent some time watching it, and throwing in sticks.
Then it was time for spinning, climbing, swinging and sliding (and I love Meg's attempt at a thumbs up!).


Betsy picked lots of flowers and dandelion clocks, and found a couple of feathers.
It's forecast warm and sunny again tomorrow, maybe we'll take a picnic somewhere.....