Something old!.....................

When Jack was very little and I first started to read to him I always thought of my very first book, you know the one where you can choose and buy with your own hard earned pocket money, well my first book was Little Miss Rivers and Little Miss Bridges by Caroline Symons.  I adored this book and I'm sure it gave me the interest in Victorian/Georgian era's, one which I am very fond of today. This got me thinking that I would love to read it again so with nothing better to do I sourced myself a copy. Oh my, when I received the book memories came flooding back.  The cover was as I remembered and it felt just right to hold and read it again.  I surprised myself that I read this book when I was about 9 and realised I was quite a good reader for my age.

Since then I've been adding my childhood books to my little library.  Some second hand when I see them at fayres or fetes and some that I've purchased new copies of.  One book being Mandy.  This book was written by Julie Andrews under her real name of Edwards.  I have since learnt that my mum still has my original copy in the loft back home so one day I will retrieve it. 

Another book which I totally lost myself in when I was little was any MillyMollyMandy stories.  I loved the first page of the books as they always had a map of the village. I used to very carefully colour it in in pencils (shock horror).  To my surprise when in Lyme Regis the other year my friend Neil spotted one in the flea market and I really had to laugh as the little girl who owned this book also coloured in MillyMollyMandy's dress, so I wasn't the only one then.

I'm sure over the coming years I'll remember even more books that I read in my childhood and add to my little collection which is coming along nicely. 

I'm also  thinking I should look out for Blue Peter Albums as I loved getting one of these for my Christmas present every year, but I'm sure they are more of a collectors item so maybe a little too much for what I am prepared to pay for, but then on the other hand!  I think I better get on ebay and have a look, don't you?

Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

Remember one thing................

Friends are for life :-)

Jack and Ross - 2012 (age 14)

Jack and Ross 2007 (age 9)

(and I will try and embarass my son further by finding an earlier photo from pre-school)

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

That's handy......

Do you like my new shopping bag?  I'm rather pleased with it.  Still using up all the bits and pieces of my material I seemed to have accumilated over the year since I got my sewing machine back out of the depths of my cupboard.

I've been sewing since I was about 7.  My nan bought me my first sewing machine which looked something like this

she was very keen for me to learn the art of sewing as she too was a seamstress for Burberry's.  Under her guidance I made many a dolls clothes and even made an apron and a petticoat for myself (gosh I'm showing my age now, who wears petticoats nowadays and would the youth know what one was!)  Whilst at school I was not very good at home economics so I was relegated placed into the sewing class (they informed me that I had a better chance of passing O'level textiles than cooking - what a cheek) and in these lessons was where I used my first electric sewing machine (nan wouldn't let me no where near hers). 

Oh the joy of going fast and in a straight line too.  I then started to save all my pennies for my own electric machine.

Over the next few years (the teenage years) I sort of lost interest in anything that made me been seen as anything remotely good so my pennies were spent on other things (make up, platform shoes and clothes). 

It wasn't until my nan passed away and my mum, who being a larger lady, needed some new clothes I decided to dust the machine off and make her some.  I then fell in love with sewing all over again and self taught myself a few techniques.

Inbetween then and buying my first house the only time the sewing machine made a visit out of the cupboard was to make cushions and curtains but recently I've discovered the joys once again and have been easing myself back into the sewing zone again.

So what's next?  I'm enjoying sewing my bags and patchwork quilts and cushions.  Perhaps I need to gain my confidence and buy a pattern to make something for myself again, perhaps a pencil skirt? I made one of those 25 years ago and as fashion has done a full circle they seem to be trendy again, or I could look out for a t-dress pattern and make a dress to wear whilst riding Lillibet next year.....oooh now that's a good idea :-)

Love to all.

Lynetta Xx

Teenagers!

For the life of me I cannot remember sleeping in later than 9:00am during the summer holidays when I was a teenager.  If you look closely at the photo you will find Jack fast asleep at 10:30am.

I vowed when Jack was a baby that I would go into his room at 7:30am every morning and wake him up as he was a very early riser and for his first 4 years of his life he woke up at 5:30am, every morning! 

BUT, I just cannot do it.  You see Jack is suffering from the Teenage Hormone syndrome where he needs to reserve all his energy just to function for at least 9 hours a day.  I have been reading that during the ages of 13-16 it's a tough life for boys and their hormones so I've cut him some slack and I'll let him sleep, but only until 10:45am then he is getting out of that bed, washed dressed and fed.

I'm a thoughtful and considerate mum don't you think?

Have a lovely Thursday.

Lynetta Xx

Smells.....

Why is it the smell of Coconut body cream always remind me of holidays?  Even Ian walked past me today and said that's what I smelt of too. 
Just a thought on Thursday :-)
Lynetta Xx

Olympic Torch

OH WOW, I feel so lucky.  At school today we were visited by Susan Tomsett who was an Olympic Torch bearer in Bognor Regis yesterday.  She bought in her torch to show all the children but there was no escape from me before I could have my picture taken.  The Head was a little embarrassed about my enthusiasm and excitement I showed I can tell you but as I was unable to get to see Reading's procession due to work commitments I think I was let off a little when I started to pose!

In Susan's presentation she informed the children of why there are 8000 circles, why it is shaped with 3 sides and why it is gold.  If you want to know more look HERE and anyone who knows me will know I love little details like this.

Reluctantly I handed back the torch to Susan and I know I will remember this little moment of my life and feel very happy I was able to hold an Olympic torch.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Away with the fairies

This afternoon I was taking advantage of the sun shining and no rain (now there's a novelty) and was just doing a little tidy up in the garden when I picked one of these little gems of a weed. 

Just a quick thought for Thursday, when you were little did your mum tell you never to pick dandelions as you'll wet the bed?  looking back what a bizarre thing to say, and, did you ever call them fairies where you blew them away to make a wish.  I did.  Oh hum, perhaps I'm away with the fairies now (nothing new there then!)

Baking update very soon.  Watch this space.

Lynetta Xx

Half Term Holiday.....

Normally we arrange a little trip during this half term break where we brush off the cobwebs from the tent, oil up the trailer and venture out for a camping trip to either Lyme Regis or the surrounding area in Dorset.  I am so glad we didn't this year, the weather is truly awful! High winds and a lot of rain today and forecasted for the weekend. I was only thinking today of all those families who have ventured out for the first time camping feeling very cold, damp and dis-heartened, my heart goes out to them as I've been in that position before. 

Thinking on the other side of the coin though, at least we are saving our pennies for a summer holiday - wherever that maybe this year as we've not planned a thing!

Off to snuggle back under the blanket and watch a bit of TV.

Laters...

Lynetta Xx

Guilty pleasures!

It may seem a little strange to some of you but my guilty pleasure is bread and butter.  I have fond memories as a child helping mum home with the weekly shop from Sainsbury's in Friar Street and having the crusty loaf in the bag I carried.  I used to sit on the bus smelling the fresh loaf and to when I got home of having a big thick slice with butter. Never to disappoint Mum always let me have the 'knobby' (do any of you call the end crust the knobby? or was it just our family saying?) I used to sit there with a cup of tea relishing and savouring the moment.

I can never go out for a meal without eating the bread even before the waiter has asked for our order and would quite happily eat half a loaf that I bring home from my weekly shop.  I'm not even fussed about what the bread is, white, brown, best of both, crusty, soft, tin, baguette, I just LOVE bread!  I'm looking to visit Borough Market in the summer holidays just to buy some bread!  I know this seems a little extreme to buy a loaf of bread but then you're listening to a girl who went to Bruges on a day trip just to have chips and mayonnaise :-).

So what's your guilty pleasure?  Would love to hear some comments from you.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

April showers

April Showers bring May Flowers - that's My Thought on Thursday!  and I've not done one of those for ages.  I read the other day that there is no such thing as bad weather if you are dressed correctly, good quote and positive thought but having this spell of wet and cold weather is a little set back to our lovely Spring weather we normally have.  On the up side, we may have a wonderful warm summer.....ooohhh the thought of sitting in the garden until late with a good book and a cuppa just lazing the evening away - I'm holding that thought for Thursday :-)

Hold your thoughts and see you soon

Lynetta Xx

Woooooooooshhhh

Whoooosh, and it's gone...the week that is.  I can't believe we are already coming into the last week of January.  Other years I always thought it was a slow drudging month but man has it gone quick this year! Is it an age thing?  or is it because the weather has been so mild it really doesn't feel like winter.  Saying that I've got to be up early tomorrow to go and stand on a cold football pitch, I'll probably think twice about my post then. 

I managed to get a little sewing in last night.  It's my mum's birthday next week and she wanted a green apron.  I've had the material since before christmas as I was going to make it for a Christmas present however I didn't have the time to complete it with all the other activities I had going on.  Good thing her birhtday is in January so she will not have to wait too long.  I'm not that enthralled with the apron, she wanted a green one , but oh dear  it looks more like an army uniform than a pretty apron. 

I have tried to girly it up with a contrasting pocket (as seen above) but it's just not working and looks a bit odd so back to the drawing board on this one.  I've really not got the enthusiasm to complete it as it is so drab, but needs must and that's to please the recipient and not me.  I'm wondering if anyone else feels like this when making something for a present? that's if it don't appeal to you you've not got the interest to finish it - answers on a postcard please.  Oh well, I'm so sure she will be pleased with it so I'm holding onto that thought for now.

OK back to the sewing machine.  Toodle Pip

Lynetta Xx

It could be me!

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to go back in time?  I do, and all the time I want to go back to being 18 years old in either 1940 or 1890. I can see myself living in a village, living in a little cottage with a small vegetable plot and everyday I would take a ride on my bike go into the village to pick up the essentials.  My bike would have a wicker basket on the front and I would have a bunch of flowers to cheer myself up on the ride home.  I would wear tea-dresses with a cardi and have brown brogues with laces.  Oh the simple life I would lead. I would offer myself up to be a land girl and work on a farm, I know it would be hard work but I feel it is so me.  Do you think I may have missed my time in life? I love everything about this era, it's just such a shame the boys don't appreciate it too as there are so many places that  have reinactment events  in the UK which I would just love to attend.  See this blog HERE, oh how I would love to spend a weekend like this.

On the other end of the scale going back to 1890 I would want to be the daughter of a Doctor or some other profession that was Middle to Upper Class.  I would be a 'Do Gooder' and do voluntary work for the poor hoping I was helping in some way.  I would wear very simple but elegant clothes and sneek down to the kitchen to help cook bake a cake.  I would secretly want a job or profession that a middle class lady would not be expected to yearn for. I love this era in time as the Victorians were pioneers for so many inventions in life and it was the time that Britain did truly rule the waves.

Do you think I watch too much period drama on tele?

Oh well, my Thought on Thursday was good for me and I think I will always yearn for these two periods in time.

The photo above is of the Tweed Run, which is a bike ride around London that has been taking place since 2009.  The participants have to dress up to ride their vintage bikes around the Capital, can you imagine hundreds of bikes all dinging their bells together.  If ever I get a vintage bike (with a soft saddle mind) I will happily make a dress and join in the fun.

TTFN

Lynetta Xx

Bottom butter!!

At last a Thought on Thursday!  I was very interested to read about a face cream that supposedly had the same ingredients as one of the leading expensive brands.  I was reading about it HERE. (article was from 3 years ago but I read about it on a blog a few months back). So last saturday I trotted off to my local Waitrose and got a little tub. I have been using it for a week, I cannot report if it is working and making my wrinkles less visible but it sure smells nice and is the perfect cream for my dry skin and in today's current economical climate I think I may save myself a few pennies too. So do you fancy jumping on the band wagon? 

Have a good day.

Lynetta Xx

December daily.......Would you?

In 2009 I took part in posting a photo every day throughout December on my facebook account and in 2010 I tried something different and posted a Keep Calm and ..........(insert a quote here), much to the amusement of my friends.  It's also a sort of trend throughout the scrapping world to make a Journal Your Christmas scrapbook, for me it's too much hard work trying to get the book created and organised ready to roll with it on December 1st so I've never really took part but if anyone is interested look HERE. This is Shimelle who created and runs this fantastic event, please take a look so you can see her wonderful creations.   

This year I have my blog so I've decided to mix a bit of both, posting some photo's from 2009, some quotes from 2010 and where possible post some different photo's from 2011. 

So in honour of December 1st the photo is of the advent calendar I made for Ian from the 1st Christmas we celebrated together (15 years ago).  Jack inherited this on his 1st Christmas and even though he's 13 1/2 he still looks forward to counting down the days, not to mention the chocolates.  I hope I can start to get excited about Christmas, the last 2 years I have had something happen to dampen my spirits.  Last year it was flights being cancelled because of snow so I did not get to the German Market in Dusseldorf with my friend Sarah and the year before my boiler breaking down, come to think of it I believe they both happened on December 18th (note to self must ensure nothing untowards happens this year on this date).

I hope I can upload something everyday (time permitting) as I think it will be great to look back on and see what I was doing this year.

And my Keep Calm for today is........................

Happy Day's

Lynetta Xx

51 days......

That's all it is until Christmas.  Oh my oh my,  I seem to be more disorganised this year than ever before.  I need to get myself into 1st gear and start making the lists.  Back in September I was hoping to get everything bought and wrapped by 15th December, so that's my Thought on Thursday for this week - ORGANISE.  The Quality Street and Roses are on the shelves, decorations are starting to be hung in the shops and Oxford Streets lights were switched on yesterday, and it's not even December!

Off to find pen and paper :-)

Lynetta Xx

Thoughts on Thursday.......

Just an idea that fleeted through my brain whilst at work the other day I thought about doing a Thought on Thursday. I am going to post a word which will hopefully motivate me over the following week or month, whether this will be something to do, or reflect on or even have a rant about but as I love a routine I will try and keep it up to date either on a weekly or monthly basis.  So with this in mind my Thought for Thursday is BAKE.  I've not baked for a month or two and watching my most favourtie programme, The Great British Bake, the last 8 weeks has given me some new ideas and motivation to do some this weekend.  So what shall it be?  I'm fancying a tray bake of some sorts as I purchased another book and as yet not tried any of the recipes.  Perhaps I should do a Julia and Julia and work myself through one of the books, now that's an idea!  and just so you know I do bake, here is my favourite cake of all time:

a Victoria Sandwich with fresh cream and strawberries.  I'm a simple homely girl at heart and prefer the all round goodness of this cake. 

Anyone for a slice?

Lynetta

Today I................

Today I went to the Laundrette for the first time in 20 years

Today I hoped the rain would stop

Today I dreamed of an Indian Summer

Today I forgot to return a phone call

Today I heard my son laughing with his friends

Today I read my book at the Laundrette

Today I watched the new series of The X-Factor

Today I said nothing when a problem occurred!

Today I believed I am in the right place

Today I felt happy I could spend time with my friend

Today I wondered if anyone noticed I was not wearing make-up
Today I bought nothing, zilch, zero,  I stayed out of the shops

Today I cleaned my whole house top to bottom, all tinged

Today I was me :-)