Close Friendships

My Dad used to have a poster like this. A reminder that we cannot pick and choose our neighbours- but we are still called to care for them. 


We've had quite a few new people move into the Close in the past year - none of them is a trombone player, as far as I can tell.

But we are blessed to have some very pleasant people around us.

I was busying planting beans, when a lady walked round the corner, with her dog. "Are you Angela?" she asked. I said I was - and she said she wanted to say thankyou - her daughter is one of the newer residents, and she just wanted to thank me for making her girl feel welcome, and helping out [in a very minor way] when she needed assistance. I thought that was very kind.

I have been learning even more about Sewing Machine Maintenance from the guy next door - he helped me to fix a machine for a teenage friend last week

Another gentleman spoke to me as I was pulling out the wheelie bin - to say thank you for the Yard Sale which Bob [and his Shedmates] are organising next Saturday. He is hoping to have a few bits outside his garage.

When I was putting out the yard sale flyers [with help from Jess and Rosie] I asked a guy round the corner if he'd be interested in taking part. He wasn't sure. I said I'd been really pleased with the plants I had brought from him at a previous Yard Sale. He turned up this week with a tray of 7 plants for me [Cucumber, courgette and tomato]
"How much do I owe you?" I asked. "Nothing, just return the pots and trays" - what a lovely chap!

Six Years Old!

 
Six years old today- we are so proud of you. You are a thoughtful, friendly boy, with a great sense of humour, and such fun to be with. We hope you have a wonderful day. God bless you always - lots of love from Big Grandad Bob and Little Grandma Angela

What Is The Returns Policy On This Item?

I love giving, and receiving, slightly quirky gifts. Nothing expensive, but things which are just a little out of the ordinary, somewhat unexpected. And there are always friends and family members for whom buying gifts can be a challenge. Charity Shops can be absolute treasure stores for such objects. 

One of my best gifts was Christmas 2008, when my SIL gave me a vintage wooden knitting needle holder. It is still in use to hold needles. 

It was even repurposed as a Policeman's truncheon in a school production of Wind in the Willows!

I came across something else the other week, which seemed a good gift for a family member. It is a boomerang! The enclosed booklet explained that boomerangs have been found across the world, not just in Australia - citing a gold-tipped one in Tutankhamun's tomb, and another found in Poland, fashioned from a mammoth's tusk.

I suspect this was previously given as a gift, but not really used, hence its arrival in the CS [The British Red Cross Shop, St Benedicts, St Norwich - always full of wonderful stuff]

If the recipient is not happy with it, I guess he could try and throw it away - but with a boomerang, you never know...

Make Your Mark [In A Good Way]

 

Thank you to Dave Walker for his brilliant cartoon. If there is an election in your area today. 
Please Vote. 
I'd quite forgotten the Marsh Family, the musical clan whose parodies kept many of us entertained during lockdown. But they have released a new song this week. 
Please Vote Wisely

Caps, Crafts, Clare

I think the first time I came across the word forage was as a child, when my Dad put on his Boys' Brigade Officer's Uniform - he added badges to his suit lapels and put on a navy woollen cap, which he referred to as a forage cap or Glengarry. The word  comes from the Old French fourrager - which meant 'plundering, or hunting for fodder'. Soldiers would wear a soft fabric cap rather than a fancy military helmet when they were away from the battle and doing other jobs, particularly looking about for food for their horses. Being soft, these caps could be folded and put in a pocket or backpack. A Glengarry was the name given to this popular style of forage cap developed by a regiment of Scottish 'fencibles' at the end of the 18th C. It was adopted by the BB who began in Glasgow in 1883.
But I later learned that forage could mean 'to hunt about for things' or 'to scavenge'. To look for 'wild' food [eg mushrooms], or for things to use - often at no cost, because they have no value to others. 

So when I spotted this book on the library shelf, I grabbed it. Firstly it is by Clare Youngs, one of my favourite craft authors, second, I love recycling, and finally, if the foraged resources are free that is even better!
There are 35 projects in three sections - foraged 'natural' materials, paper & card, fabric & thread. Clare makes decorations, clothing, gifts and useful objects - using new ideas, fresh twists on old techniques, and traditional skills.

 

covered buttons, boro stitched jeans, painted pebbles, stitched denim sashiko coasters, pressed seaweed cards, foiled leaf garlands, and loads more... coasters, cushions, dolls, gift tags, stationery...with CYs precise instructions, clear illustrations and accurate templates

Lots to copy, or to inspire you - adaptable for all ages and skill levels. Another *****
Have you read any good CY books, and would you recommend them?

Great Oaks From Little Acorns Grow

Sometime I must ask Ann just why they call the Toddler Group "Little Acorns" I mentioned yesterday that the lady at the Fete from the local council had been very interested in our group. She gave me a nylon zip bag and two plastic folders and hoped they would prove useful.When I got home, I unpacked them in the kitchen

Would you believe this amazing hoard?

The contents were: five quality books*, thirteen activity cards, two booklets (songs and games)  one finger puppet, one headband, one  set of "feelings" cards,  one Orchard Toys boxed game, a safety mirror, a wooden pig and a cow, a stress ball, a pot of bubbles, one-minute timer, chiffon cloth, foil blanket, biro, box of crayons, and two Norfolk Council information sheets. 

I reckon at least £40 worth of materials. The activities cards related to the books too, so you could plan a morning's activities round the stories. Ann was really astounded at church on Sunday to receive this bag of goodies. She asked if the lady was giving them away to lots of people - I said that nobody else came up in the whole time I was near the council display. Which is a real shame. [* including a proper Julia Donaldson lift-the-flap one]

Thank you Louise, from Broadland Council for your generosity!

Are you involved in any sort of Toddler Group or activities with Preschoolers? 
Have you come across any positive support for young families in your area?

How You Have Grown!

 

This is the Costessey Fete in 2018, Rosie was two and we were looking after her for 24 hours. Now she has grown up so much, and, like her Grandad, she still likes ice creams. And the Fete has grown too - back then it was held on a large field, and the tea and coffee served in the adjacent community centre. Now it is a massive affair, held at the Royal Norfolk Showground. Then entrance was free, parking £2 - on Saturday entrance was £3 for age 5+, but parking was free[with blue badge spaces near the entrance] So in 8 years it went up from £2 to £6. Not bad!

Some things still there- the Norfolk Star Wars Group, the Owls, and lots of Norfolk community groups and charities. We had a lovely time in the sunshine.

Jess wore her twirly sparkly dress and rode on the carousel shouting "I'm a princess" as her pink coach whirled round. What you cannot see, as she poses so demurely, is the blue lollipop in her hand given to her by one cheerful stall holder.

Jess went back and thanked the lady and poked her tongue out - and was promptly rewarded with another lolly

There were moving dinosaurs and a Medieval Group

We met so many interesting people. There was a South Norfolk Council table again - without the big deckchair - but joined this time by a table from from Broadland Council. They are due to merge in the next round of council re-organisations.

I drifted across [there was nobody at either table apart from the two staff members in their lanyards] 

"Do you live in our area?"

"No, I come under Breckland Council - but the nearby village, where my church is, is in Broadland" 

"Does your church do anything for preschoolers?"

I told the lady about the excellent Toddler Group which meets every Tuesday. She asked about their programme, and I filled her in on all the stuff planned by my friends who run the group. "Could you take some of our material for them?" I said I was happy to do that and would deliver it at Church on Sunday. She gave me a bundle of stuff.
Then I met up with the rest of the family and we had lunch [ pizza and burgers, and chicken and chips...] Leaving Liz and family to continue their fun in the sun, Bob and I drifted home. 

It was a truly superb day - and well organised. A proper event for all the family, with affordable pitches for the charities and community groups, and a good variety of refreshments. 
The weather was obviously an important factor - but my thanks go to all those who made the day special. There was such a positive atmosphere, and something for everyone. This event gets bigger, and better each year!