Five Go Home On A Bicycle...**

On Tuesday,among other activities, we did a cycle ride to the Library. Here are the five volumes I borrowed.
Val McDermid "The Skeleton Road" - I enjoy VM's thrillers, although sometimes they are a little bit too dark for me. I like her style of writing, we are the same age. When I have heard her on the radio, I have liked her as a person. This will be a good book to read on the train next week.
Country Living "Short Cuts to Country Style".  This is for inspiration for an ongoing project - the redecoration of the Futility Room at Cornerstones. When we moved in, this room was part of the new extension built by the previous owners. Tiled floor, magnolia walls, and down one side, a worktop over a few cupboards relocated from the kitchen. In the gaps, we have installed a dishwasher and washing machine. 
However, as we usually come in the side door, laden with bags and boxes, this is where things get unloaded, and often it looks like a Left Luggage Office. The Roller Towel which I made in the Easter holidays has proved the germ of an idea for this room - and I am working towards a 'country house laundry room' theme. At Liz's suggestion I have started a pinterest board - and purchased some paint tester pots. This will not be an overnight event, but one needing thought and care. My third book Chantal Sabatier's "Linen and Lace"  -  which features 'simple-to-sew homestyle projects using new and vintage fabrics' may be of use here.
Dorset Feather Stitchery by Olivia Pass was referenced in a few articles I read recently on the subject of smocks. Since obtaining my Norfolk Slop, I have become fascinated with 'workwear' and smocks in particular. This little book, produced 50 years ago, written by a Dorset woman, primarily for the benefit of the doughty needleworkers of the Women's Institute, is a real treasure trove of designs and ideas.
Finally I was delighted to find "Book Art by Clare Youngs" in the craft section. I lap up anything written by CY. Her Scandinavian Needlecraft is a joy to skim through, along with Folk Art Needlecraft, and Christmas Crafting in No Time. Clare is a gifted craftswoman, her talents are not confined to just needlework. I am looking forward to the creativity unleashed in this volume.

By the way, did you know this is "Real Bread Week"? This is part of the Real Bread Campaign's drive to encourage people to eschew the mass produced factory loaves, in favour of small scale bakeries, and local initiatives helping communities to eat better bread. Their project "Together We Rise"  is an amazing scheme, helping to offer therapeutic, social and employment opportunities to those involved- especially folk with mental health issues. 
I really admire the commitment of the people behind this project. Many small bakeries produce great loaves. I have blogged about Bakehouse24 in Ringwood, but I must also mention Pandora's Bakery which is in Ferndown. They make excellent gluten free bread for our church to use at Communion Services - so everyone can share in the one loaf. I know other churches locally use them as well - and they are so helpful [the supermarket GF loaves don't work as well for 'breaking the bread' ]

** Enid Blyton wrote 21 Famous Five titles - and none involving bicycles, or gluten free loaves!