Cover Story - Umbel Pie

Two definitions
UMBEL a cluster of small flowers on short spreading stems that come from the same point and form a shape similar to an open umbrella:.
PIE a confused mass of printers' type; leading to pie – a food dish with miscellaneous contents

I'm fascinated by umbelliferous flowers - on fabric, in the fields...I have a favourite teatowel and a skirt  decorated with these blossoms.

And recently I picked up an Indian Woodblock in a CS. 

It became my inspiration for the July stitching, although I did not want to get ink on it!

So I traced the design, then found some sky blue polycotton. I taped the tracing paper to the window, with the fabric on top, then copied the umbel with a vanishing pen. 
Firsty I stitched horizontal running stitch lines in a variegated blue/white perlé thread. Then the sun in a golden shade. Next, two shades of green for the grass - lightest at the foreground, and darkest at the horizon, and alternating rows of running stitch in between. Finally black backstitched stems, and each ended with a French knot.

A Norfolk summer skyline...

Footnotes

There are loads of ideas out there for decorating support boots. 

But I shan't get the chance to use them.

The Dr at this morning's Fracture clinic decided there are no bone breakages in either foot, just damaged tendons and ligaments. He reckoned that if Bob's sensible, all should be healed in a month or so. So he doesn't have to wear the boot all day, and can use walking sticks rather than crutches if that's more comfortable.

All of which is really good news. I'll still be designated driver for a while.

We continue to take things easy. Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and encouragements

🥾🦶🦶👣👣👣👣🦶🦶🥾

Family FITS**

 

**that's Fun In The Sun

Roarr! Dinosaur Park, Cornerstones, The Goat Shed @ Honingham, Sea Palling Beach

The Wisdom Of Snoopy

And don't worry about domestic issues. 

There are lots of interesting food leftovers following the family visit - some "Dino bars" a bowl of plums, half a carton of oat milk, and some "squirty cream" . There are lots of cherry tomatoes, walking onions, salad leaves and rhubarb in the garden. Plus a bag of potatoes in the garage, frozen home grown beans, and a chicken in the freezer. Plenty of possibilities for interesting meals there. 

Yesterday Liz made me have a rest, while she did a fantastic job of tidying the kitchen [thanks Liz] 

The floors are a concern, little dirty footprints on the laminate floors, crumbs on the lounge rug, and a very grubby kitchen. And as I sit here typing this, I can see a Sylvanian sideboard under the media unit, alongside a yellow rubber duck!

All the family brought sewing requests - and the dining table is out of action under piles of fabric alongside the sewing machine. We've eaten so many meals outside recently! 

But today we both need to rest and enjoy the peace and quiet... 

That Dress!

 

A number of people mentioned my African print dress. Here's the story... When we lived in Leicestershire, I sometimes went to the nearby village of Anstey. They had two two primary schools, and I did quite a bit of supply teaching in one of them in the early 2000s. In the centre of the village was a square - round it were a variety of shops; bakers, butchers,coffee shop, newsagent, PO, hardware store, hairdresser,  building society, chippy and florist. But also a charity shop and a branch of Nat West Bank. It was quicker and easier to drive to Anstey, park for free, and use that branch, than to go into the City Centre for my own bank. And back then, we occasionally had cheques to pay in. And if it was open I'd cheque out the CS. 

One summer day I found the dress on a sale rail. It was less than £5. I liked the cool cotton, and the vibrant print, and the amber 'glass' beads round the neckline. It was originally from Primark. There was a lot of fabric in the dress and I thought that even if I wore it just for the summer, I could recycle the beads and fabric for other makes. That was 2007! And every time I wear it, I receive compliments.

But the best was in 2008. I'd been at a Garden Party on a very hot day - but felt cool and comfortable. On the way home I was passing the big out of town M&S and I stopped to buy fresh milk in the Foodhall. 

As I queued, I realised two Rather Posh ladies behind me were discussing The Dress "it's exactly the sort of thing I want for the wedding. Bright, but cool, and comfortable. I love the print, and it's a flattering style... The beaded neckline is gorgeous" I turned round and smiled. One woman blushed, the other said "Please, where did you buy it? I'm going to a society wedding next month and that dress is so unusual, it would be just perfect..." I  admitted that it was from a CS. [didn't mention Primark, they didn't sound like they'd shop there!]

When I recounted the tale later, one friend said that my response should have been "Look, we are in M&S. Buy me a dress in here, and I'll put it and give you this one" I thought at the time that would have been a brilliant solution. But 16 years later, I'm glad I've kept my dress. It still sparks much joy.

Thanks for the kind words for Bob. He is learning to cope with his crutches. But it is both tiring and frustrating at times. George and Jacob decorated his big black boot with stickers to cheer him up! 

The Boot's On The Other Foot

Thank you, everybody, for all the thoughtful and generous words about our family and the anniversary celebrations. Monday was another wonderful day - spent at the beach [Sea Palling] We swam, and paddled and made sandcastles and found interesting stones, and more. At 4pm we all packed up to return to the beach car park. 

Unfortunately Bob [for whom walking is difficult at the moment] slipped on the bottom step, and fell badly. The grandchildren were whisked off to be strapped into their car seats, Gary fetched our car as close as possible, and a family from Norwich helped Bob into the passenger seat.

I drove to A&E 40 minutes away, where Bob was seen very promptly. Both feet X-rayed. Dr suspects bones chipped on one or maybe both ankles We were home by 7.30. He has an appointment at the Fracture Clinic on Friday

The Dr did not want to put a boot on both feet. We are being as positive as we can

• It was the end of our day out
• It was at the bottom step, not the top
• No legs broken
• No teeth smashed
• A&E very quick and so helpful

George is fascinated by the boot. Jess is jealous because she has been to children's A&E and thinks Grandad must have had fun playing with their splendid toys! I'm just grateful for prompt treatment and a safe journey home. 

The next few weeks will be complicated. Please pray for an easing of Bob's pain, patience and wisdom for both of us. We thank God for our loving family - and the kindness and help of total strangers in the car park, and NHS staff in Norwich. 

Life is certainly full of ups and downs! 

Truly Thankful

 So many kind wishes yesterday, we are truly grateful for them all.

We had an absolutely wonderful day with all our family. The cousins play so well together. But Cornerstones looked pretty dire by 5pm when the children went down to the Playground.

Before lunch, Bob set up his camera on the tripod for a family photo. All of us, happy together- a memory to treasure...

I'm a truly grateful Grandma

Sapphire Sunday

Today is our Sapphire Wedding Anniversary - 45 years. I thank God every day that He brought us together. Thank you Bob for the love and joy you bring to so many - for your commitment to the family, the community and the church. 

B

I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. 
And I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! [Philippians chapter 1] 

What A Load Of Old Rot!

February 2021 - just a few months prior to retirement. I made a quick trip up to Cornerstones [in the snow] and found a brand new green compost bin lying on its side in the back garden. I knew the council were selling them, so wondered if this had been delivered to the wrong address. I walked all round the houses, asking neighbours - but nobody claimed it. Three months later, when we moved in permanently, I decided to start using it. It has worked well - and each winter I have been able to put a thick layer of compost as a mulch on my Raised Bed. 

The men were coming to replace the fence, and it had to be moved out of their way. In the spring, once I had done the mulching, I moved the empty bin to the area of the garden near the RB.

The new location has proved much more convenient, especially for nipping out from the kitchen with bowls of peelings etc. Bob has pegged it down to prevent it blowing about

I've been super diligent about layers of 'green' and 'brown' materials - and realised the bin was getting pretty full. The council is still offering inexpensive bins, so I thought I would get a second one.

I collected it last Tuesday and stood it alongside the first. 

But there are some issues with it...

• It is a different colour and shape [not a problem]
• It has a larger door at the base [good]
• It has no ventilation holes [does that matter?]
• It has an impossibly difficult push fit lid [bother]

Thursday night we discussed the best strategy - and concluded that 

• if I empty bin #1 into bin #2 then that compost can rot away till spring, and I will start refilling the green one [with its easy twist and lift lid]
• Bob will work out a way of pegging it down as it has no obvious fixing points
• whilst swapping the contents over will give them a good stirring, it will be hard work

Conclusion - unpeg green bin, lift it up carefully, and drop larger black bin over the contents, then peg that down. Locate green bin in adjacent spot. But all this will be after all the family have gone home.

7 am Friday morning, sitting in bed enjoying a cuppa, remarking how windy it was. Big Bang outside! Is that the new compost bin travelling to the neighbours? wondered Bob. I trotted outside in my pjs, and found the regular green wheelie bin [emptied Wednesday] lying on its side. And the new black compost bin on the other side of the garden, with lid and door lying nearby on the grass.

Which is why we currently have a compost bin in our Futility Room, awaiting relocation, filling and pegging down. I shall be glad when all is sorted and ready to rot...

Lost And Found

 For my birthday two years ago, Bob bought me a Clover Mini Iron [they have gone up in price since!] and I made a storage bag for it from scrap fabric. When I was making the Museum Mice, I thought it would be useful for pressing narrow seams on tiny garments. But I could not find it, despite hunting high [the loft] and low [bottom drawers of wardrobe where I keep other craft bits] This was all a little bit frustrating. Where was it?

After Rosie's week with us, I decided to hunt properly. I started to empty everything out of the wardrobe onto the bed. But I kept getting interrupted. 

I put a sign on the door before the children arrived, explaining it WAS NOT SAFE

Finally yesterday morning I got around to going through all the boxes and bags. And I found the iron - bizarrely right at the bottom of a box labelled "paper and card" It has been a very positive exercise. 

I found  a total of 15 sharpies, in various pencil cases. I have corralled all my fabric marking pens [Frixion, water soluble, disappearing, heat transfer, laundry markers, tailor's chalk pencils etc] and they are neatly standing in one labelled  pot. All my card blanks and envelopes are on the same shelf.

As are all my beads in their little Tiptree Jam Pots. And I found some thread I bought in London last month.

I'm hoping to organise some serious crafting sessions once September starts, and get stock made for my shop, as well as planning the craft activities I'll be doing with the Brownies. 

Having everything tidied up will make it so much easier to get the jobs done. The iron is sensibly stored with sewing stuff, not papercrafting supplies.

And this weekend the grandchildren will be able to go safely into the room, to get the things stored in the toy rack. And Julian will be able to get into bed at night. The Keep Out sign has gone. 

I must try harder to maintain this tidiness.

Inside Out And Upside Down

Like my backpack, when I got home from our day out and discovered  my drinks bottle had leaked! And of course there were a couple of hankies, some receipts and other items lying sodden at the bottom of the bag [six pens in various pockets] But IO&UD is just how I feel after a non stop day with Rosie & Jess

The men were busy so I took Liz and the girls over to Gressenhall Museum. [saving a lot of money by using our guest vouchers] It was a Wild Wednesday with lots of extra activities for younger children; Storytime, a Bug Hunt, making tea light holders, garden games outside the café and much more. Bob joined us at 1pm for a picnic and then we visited the school room and adventure playground. Then three exhausted adults enjoyed coffee outside the cafe whilst the girls played on the grass. Liz and Rosie went inside the Museum, and once Jess had built a castle for her princess game, she and I looked at the workhouse exhibits and dressed up. 

Back to Cornerstones with the girls, where there was a picnic  outside the dolls' house, and Cat In The Hat stories to read with Grandad. 

As the girls played I unpacked my bag and discovered the flood. Then Bob came in and we all sat down for a drink and a biscuit. Somehow a whole beaker of juice went over the rug. I grabbed a towel and we took off our shoes and did The Dance Of Joy on it, to absorb the moisture. [Hands up if you remember Kim and Aggie doing that] 

I love having the family round - but it's important to me to be laid back and not stress about disruption to my routine. Their games and conversations are so delightful. I always fall into bed very ready for sleep at the end of such a happy family day. 

By the way, I just got this great new book [I love Nick Butterworth] 

I am pleased to note that NB's gran not only sews and knows the secret of noughts and crosses, but also has a fondness for Breton striped garments. 

Wood You Believe It? - Only Five Months!

The Swanton Morley Shed Project officially began meeting in their premises in March this year, just five months ago.
Since then they have completely refurbished the interior. lining these bare walls, putting up tool racks, turning the little room in the corner into a Break Out Area, with kettle, mugs, seats - and the First Aid Kit and Accident Book, as well as setting up another space for a woodstore. 

The men have worked so hard , ensuring that the place is 'fit for purpose' - and as well as that they have done all sorts of useful community projects.

The Museum in Swaffham has a stand to display their Egyptian Puppets, our Parish Church has two beautifully refurbished noticeboards, and the Brownies have a bench to sit on at their allotment, as well as a woodwork evening, making robots.

And they made all those little boats for the day of the Duck Race, when loads of people came to look at the Shed Project Gazebo, and find out more...

Their current activity is picnic benches for a viallge school play ground.
But this project is the one I love best.

Four doorstops for the new Hospice building, made from a piece of ash - cut so that each has a "live edge" with the bark showing. Beautifully cut and finished, with the snowdrop logo of PBL laser etched onto one side. The iron handles were custom made by local blacksmith artist Tom Crisp
I am so impressed by their achievements - a group of strangers who have come together and already become good friends - and have made so many things to benefit the community in which they live!

Venerable Beads

Some time ago, Steph gave me a lovely braided bead necklace [thank you]

I'd seen similar ones at the Forum Market over the weekend, and it occured to me this would look good against my plain blue teeshirt. So I wore it to church on Sunday. Stood up for first hymn and felt something brush past my hand. A tiny turquoise bead. I instinctively cupped my hand at the base of my sternum and by the end of verse two, had a dozen beads nestling in my palm.

When we sat down I transferred them carefully to the adjacent empty seat and found a piece of paper in my bag, and folded a small makeshift packet to contain them all. After the Benediction I retrieved #1 bead from the carpet. There was a tiny loose strand of beading wire, about 2cm long. Fortunately the damage seemed contained [Imagine if the whole thing had collapsed, said Charlie, next to me]. I estimate there are literally thousands of beads. You would not notice the absent beads unless you studied it very closely.

I came home from church with another craft project. My friend Gwyneth had told me she was bringing it. A little cardboard box, which opens out to become a stable. And a heap of figures, plus cow and donkey. Also, G had brought me some good quality felt and cotton fabric in a bag.

The thing is, this Nativity Set was a gift. But only after opening it did Gwyneth discover there are Kings and Shepherds and animals.

But no Mary or Joseph, and no Baby Jesus!!!

As she said "Isn't that the point of a crib scene? The Son of God, laid in the manger?"
My task is to make these missing characters, in good time for Christmas. I shall make it a priority - I don't want to put it aside and suddenly realise we are into Advent.

What a very bizarre gift.

I am reminded of Winnie the Pooh and his empty Hunny Jar for Eeyore! 

Have you ever received a gift that 'wasn't quite all there'?

Saturday's Summer Songsters

Bob and I went into Norwich on Saturday to St Peter Mancroft Church [on the fourth corner of the square housing the Market, City Hall and The Forum Building] Every Saturday at 1pm, there is a free concert. I have wanted to attend one for ages, but never got round to it - and suddenly there was a free day and we could - so we did!

The Mancroft Music series is very diverse- soloists, ensembles, choirs - lots of organ stuff, and all types of music to suit all tastes. This weekend was the turn if The Wokingham Choral Society. 24 members of their group [60+ on the list] were doing a tour of East Anglian Venues.
Entitled "A Song for Summer" is was mostly John Rutter pieces, from his "Sprig of Thyme" suite based on British Folk Songs - but halfway through we had a lovely SaintSaens piece, on the larger of the two church organs

It was delightful. I recognised some titles on the programme - The bold Grenadier, The Keel Row, I know where I'm going, Now is the month of Maying etc - but "O can ye sew cushions?" was a new one. I looked forward to that - but when it came to it, I was not so keen!**

Then we went back to the Forum where the African Market was in full swing. Glorious Wax Print tops and dresses, smells of delicious foods, and cheerful music resounding round the space, dancers, choirs and bands having fun in the sun

Bob bought some Jolloff Rice Paste . Then we went into the Millennium Library and both selected a pile of craft books [his woodwork, mine needlework] 

Then we came home and sat in the summerhouse with long cool drinks and relaxed and read them! What a lovely day we'd had.

** To be fair, the conductor did explain the song was a lullaby, by Robert Burns, and therefore contains "baby talk" I made little sense of it at the time, and having come home and looked it up, I am still no wiser. Catriona, Ann and other friends north of the border - do you know this one??

O can ye sew cushions? And can ye sew sheets?
And can ye sing ballooloo when the bairn greets?
And hee and haw birdie, and hee and haw lamb;
And hee and haw, birdie, my bonnie wee lamb!

Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Black's the life that I lead wi' you;
Mony o' ye, little for to gie you.
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?

I biggit the cradle upon the treetop,
And aye as the wind blew, my cradle did rock.
O hush a baw baby, o ba lil li loo,
And hee and baw, birdie, my bonnie wee doo.

Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?
Black's the life that I lead wi' you;
Mony o' ye, little for to gie you.
Heeo, weeo, what wou'd I do wi' you?

Sun-Day

Here's a popular hymn about the sunshine from the 1970s

And here is one from the 1870s

Whatever the weather, may you bask in the sunshine of God's love today

 

Dolly, Lolly, Jolly, and Good Golly Miss Molly!

Four book reviews- all for children's books. [still reading Rob Biddulph's Peanut Jones, so cannot review that yet] Two were gifts from a friend, and two were Rosie's library books which we read together last week.

DOLLY Dolly Peg Fairies and Princesses. This is a Craft book from Top That Publishing. Seven easy ideas for turning a humble wooden dolly peg into enchanting creatures, using tissue paper, pipecleaners and a few other pretty sparkly bits and pieces.An ideal activity for children aged 3-9 to do with a bit of support from adults. Jess is just about old enough to help me to create these. 

Instructions clear, good diagrams. Rosie could do these with minimal support. ***** 
LOLLY Lolly Stick Craft Book also from TT Publishing-  7 more projects. Good variety - butterflies, spotty dog, picture frame, boat, glitter star, snowmen, Xmas tree. Again good instructions, and hints and tips for further projects, ***** 

Rosie reads by herself, but also has her "chapter" books - one of the adults will read a chapter or two with her at bedtime. This is a lovely experience. She had two with her when she was staying here last week. I will review the second one first

JOLLY  Baby Aliens Got My Teacher, by Pamela Butchart. This was such a crazy, jolly book, and in order to get it finished before Ro left, we all had an extended reading time on Friday morning before breakfast! Told in the first person, Izzy cannot explain why her teacher, Miss Jones, is suddenly being nice to everyone, and absurdly cheerful. Izzy and her two classmates decide she has been got at by aliens. The way these kids try to explain the behaviour of the adults around them is screamingly funny. Bob and I had different theories about the real reasons [and both partly right, partly wrong] Not exactly high quality writing, but such fun, and cleverly written.*****

Finally GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY! Vetman by Irish TV Vet, Noel Fitzpatrick. This was the oddest book I have read with Rosie, by a long, long way. My first problem was actually saying "Vetman" - my brain wanted to say "Vatman" or more frequently "Vietnam". And as we read, I kept thinking Good Grief" this is ridiculous!

Plot synopsis - Imogen and younger brother Findlay are coming to terms with their Dad's death. One night they find an injured hedgehog, and a squirrel [with a tail like a wire brush] leads them deep into the forest where they find the bizarre Vetman, who specialises in recycling household items into prosthetics for sick animals [eg owl with a headlamp for an eye, tortoise with wheelbarrow shell, etc] They also encounter The Man With No Name, who is trying to bring down the whole animal kingdom. Immy and Findlay work with their superhero and his bionic army to save the planet.

The book should come with trigger warnings I think - so much about the grief surrounding Dad's death, and the awful suffering of the animals. Some nights I had to read two chapters, so we didn't end on a scary cliffhanger, which might stop Rosie enjoying peaceful sleep. At one point, I actually wondered if NF was about to launch into a defence of assisted dying! In places the plot didn't hang together properly. 

I found myself skipping bits, and moderating some of the descriptions. I didn't really like the writing style. "It is an awful book" said another family member after they had done their evening's chapter with Ro. 

Julian was with us during Rosie's stay, and commented that he has noticed that many of the current crop of Junior Readers are written in such poor English "When I was at school, we would not have been allowed to write stories that were just a string of sentences beginning 'And then I did this/and then I did that' It was considered lazy writing"

NF may be a great TV personality [I have never watched him so cannot say] but I think he should stick to TV and his Veterinary work, I am not sure children's writing is his forte.

I know that many online reviews give Vetman 5* but I am only giving *

Giving Rosie and the family 5* for persevering to the end of this strange book though. And 5* to my kind friend for sending the craft books. 

Which children's authors do you rate highly ? [past or present]

Souls Of Our Shoes

We popped over to Fakenham early yesterday morning [Bob wanted to see a chap on the market about some secondhand tools] and went round to the Parish Church for Coffee. They have a beautiful new glass door, and inside, some new steps and a neat ramp for buggies and wheelchairs. They are making every effort to be welcoming to visitors.

The Norfolk Mothers' Union has a travelling exhibition [Souls of our Shoes] at the moment. MU is spearheading a campaign called RISE UP working to support all those affected by domestic violence. 

The title stands for Respond, Inform, Support, Empower
Unite, Pray

Alongside pairs of discarded shoes are quotes from those affected by such abuse - women, and children. It is very powerful to read their words.

There was plenty of literature offering support and help. Women's Aid [a charity which has been around for half a century] estimates that 1 in 4 women in the UK have suffered domestic abuse [and 1 in 7 men] It was a very thought provoking exhibition. I do hope that all those on the other side of the church, enjoying coffee and cake , took time to stop and look before they left. Well done MU for flagging this up! 

I didn't spend anything much [Bob has yet to buy the tools] apart from 70p on two vintage stitching  magazines and 5 lots of stranded threads in variegated colours. But we did enjoy a very gentle stroll in the sun.