It All Adds Up

1 + 2 = 3, 1+ 2 + 3 = 6, 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 =10,
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15 etc. These are totals are called Triangle Numbers

I am posting this maths because Kate, whose blog I enjoy greatly is having a May Declutter.
And she is discarding 1 thing on May 1st, 2 on May 2nd, 3 on May 3rd etc. Which means by May 31st, she will have reduced her possessions by a whopping 496 items!!
She is regularly posting pictures [and being very good about how she counts things - a bag of crayons counts as one item, not 24]
I feel challenged by this. I am not sure I have her willpower. I thought about it, and decided there are 31 days in May. If I just select three items a day, and four on the five Sundays and 2 Bank Holidays in this month, that makes 100 items. Kate is going for 5 times as many - but [a] I am notoriously bad at discarding things and [b] I am away for a number of days this month, WWDP stuff and family visits. I decided I would at least consider things whilst away - with the aim of the 100 items target at the end. I have begun the process.

This notebook was one I made at sewing club years ago, to show the girls how easy it was to make a plain exercise book look pretty. I have filled it with all sorts of random notes and shopping lists. There are 3 blank pages - so I shall use them to note my 100 items and then it can go in the paper recycling bin [sans fabric cover]

Then there was the handle from my Spong Mincer which broke beyond repair a couple of years ago. Whatever did I think I could do with the handle? That's in the bin now.

The blue refurbished sewing box has disintegrated - the wood was just falling apart. I saved the lovely Liberty buttons - but the box has gone.

I don't know where this One Dollar from Barbados came from. I shall see if I can find a Charity Shop which takes foreign coinage. I've already taken a bag of clothes and a couple of books to a nearby CS.

And I passed on a jumper and pair of boots to Steph last weekend. Not sure if the boots count - she originally passed them on to me! Yes, I will count them as One Item. I ought to be up to 55 things by now. I have a long way to go yet! But I will get there, I am determined!

Fond Of A Fondue

With the current revival of retro cookware, we have acquired not one but two fondue sets. Bob bought the first, a lovely Le Creuset one, for £5 in a CS in Norfolk. We have yet to use it 'properly' there, but he did make a superb soup in it - it is a lovely cooking pot, and looks great as a serving dish too.

As these are still retailing at over £100 this seemed a bargain. We had to purchase a new set of forks - and hope to use it 'properly' soon. But when I was telling a friend, she said "Oh we still have fondue parties - we have two sets - one for the savoury and one for the sweet course" Which seemed a fun idea. Then I saw an "Invicta" french cast iron set [with forks] for only £4 in a CS here. So when Steph visited the other weekend, we had a chocolate fondue for dessert. She joked about feeling like she was back in the 70s - but did admit it was fun, and delicious. I modified HFWs Trinity from fruit, creamy, cakey to fruit, creamy, squidgy by making marshmallows on of the dips. 

Sauce- break up a small bar of Lidl plain chocolate, just cover with single cream, and melt gently. Dips - strawberry, melon chunks and marshmallows. Yum!

Dorset Knobs

Last Monday I was asked to do a demo at our Craft Group on the theme of Dorset Buttons.  I had heard of them long before we moved here, but really only got interested after seeing them on costumes in 'Far From The Madding Crowd'. The week after I saw the film, we went to Shaftesbury, where there is an excellent collection of buttons in the museum. It was here in 1622 that Abraham Case set up his 'buttony' business.
The simplest Dorset buttons are worked on a ring [brass, or bone, or nowadays plastic] There are four stages - casting [buttonholing round the ring] slicking [pushing the ridge at the top of the stitches to the back] laying [putting the spokes across the ring] and rounding [weaving thread round in a spiral to fill in the ring]

This style is usually called a Blandford Cartwheel, Dorset Crosswheel, Birdseyes, Yarrells, or Mites. I have mastered the basic style - but expert produce beautiful examples of multicoloured discs with added detail of French Knots or embroidery.

The second style is the Dorset Knob or High Top - this is worked in a similar way, weaving round the spokes- but is worked on a dome shaped foundation. This is covered with a fabric layer, and the button designed stitched over that. These were made on a ramshorn base, and later on a metal one. I used domed buttons from my vast stash of old buttons!

The third style is the Singleton. These were developed by the Singleton family in the 17th Century. These too begin with a ring. This is covered with a circle of fabric which is gathered at the back and lightly padded. Then a circle of running stitches is sewn just inside the metal ring, The button is left plain, or embellished. Here are some of the buttons I discovered on the Internet.

Top left - Crosswheels and Dorset Knobs, bottom left, Singletons. Henry's Buttons is a brilliant website telling you all you need to know.
Here are the buttons I made for the demo on Monday - plus the rings and domed buttons I used for foundation. I used a glass sundae dish to draw the circle for my singletons - being glass, I was able to position it centrally on the flower print before cutting out. I have put a £1 coin on each picture to give you a size reference. The green and yellow cartwheel was made over a child's narrow plastic bangle. The whole process is quite slow - it takes me the best part of an hour to do a simple Cartwheel [Singletons are quicker] And I have the benefit of good lighting, I am not working in a cold, dimly lit, cottage. It must have been so hard for the original buttonmakers.

The thread I used was fine perle type cotton, some was 'mending thread' some was crochet cotton [the cream, and the variegated orange/peach on the Knobs] Dorset Knobs are also hard little twice-baked bread rolls, which have been produced by Moore's Bakery since 1880. 

The biscuits were named after the buttons. I have to say I like the tin more than the contents. Hard to slice, and dreadfully crumbly. You're supposed to dunk them in your tea or serve them with cheese. Clever Steph made the excellent suggestion that they would go well on top of a stew like the scones on a cobbler, as the gravy would soften them. I shall try that!

The other well known Dorset Nobs, who live near here, are Sir Julian and Lady Emma Fellowes [the Downton Abbey author, and his wife, lady-in-waiting to Princess Michael Of Kent] Whether they eat the biscuits or wear the buttons, I have no idea.

In the mid 19th century, with the Industrial Revolution, thousands of buttons were machine made in Manchester. The Dorset Button industry collapsed, and many of the workers emigrated to Canada. It seems there are a lot of 'Heritage Craft Groups' over there now, where making the Dorset Buttons is a popular pastime, as people remember their English ancestors.

Have you ever made any buttons - Dorset or otherwise?

Liberté, égalité, fraternité

Madeleine Lebeau, the last surviving actress from the film Casablanca, has just died at the age of 92.
I find the singing of the Marseillaise one of the most moving parts of the whole film.

When the news today is all about the ex-Mayor of London, I I am disagreeing with Boris. I think he is totally wrong to compare the EU to Hitler's vision of Europe. These are people of many countries coming together to work for liberty, equality and fraternity. [I found this a helpful article]

RIP Madeleine

Folding Hands In Prayer

People in church frequently refer to 'folding our hands in prayer' - when they mean putting them together in some way, and keeping them still.

At our WWDP Y-Pray? Conference the other weekend, one of the workshops was about prayer folding. Firstly we used the mini-book idea to make little prayer books to pop in a pocket or handbag. I have blogged about this easy idea here. At least two people took the idea away to use with their Brownies.

Then we did some prayer origami. Three very simple models - a standing heart, a dove and a boat. The idea is that once folded, you can write a Bible text or a message - and then pop it somewhere to remind you to pray - or send it as a gift to a friend, showign that you are praying for them.

The heart can have a verse like 'nothing can separate us from the love of God' or 'I have loved you with an everlasting love, says the Lord' or 'God loves you - and so do we!'

On the dove, words like "May God's Holy Spirit bring you joy and peace" or "May you know the gift of peace, through God's Spirit"  or "May the presence of His Spirit be with you today"

On the boat "When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you, says the Lord - Isaiah 43" or maybe "Jesus said 'take courage, do not be afraid' and the wind died down"

If you want details of how to fold these, do email me and I will send them to you. So simple, yet so effective

Have you ever folded origami prayers like this? 

Hands, Feet, Heads...and Asses!

On Tuesday when we went to Salisbury with Steph, we looked at the sculptures currently on display in the Cathedral grounds and cloisters. Sophie Ryder's exhibition is called 'Relationships' My favourite piece was the hand [and then the feet] I was not so sure about the ladies with Hare-y heads!

 

The tubs of tulips at the entrance to the Cathedral Car Park were utterly amazing - their fabulous feathered petals shone so brightly in the dismal grey rain.

Of course it was essential to get a picture of Steph and Bob in the stocks. 

We enjoyed browsing round the shops in Salisbury - but this label in Tiger reduced Steph and myself to a fit of childish giggles.

Laughter, The Best Medicine...

The Reader's Digest Magazine always ran a page of amusing anecdotes sent in by subscribers entitled Laughter, The Best Medicine... [maybe it still does, I haven't read a copy for years, they don't even have a stack of them in the dentists anymore] But here are some things which have made me smile this week.

The story on the BBC website about a delayed plane.

The lady saw the man sitting next to her working on equations and assumed he was probably a terrorist. We mathematicians can be very dangerous, you know!

Then there was the Amazonian Flannel Moth Caterpillar - now renamed the Donald Trump Caterpillar [watch the video]

In Christchurch, the van which was stopped in front of us at the traffic lights. I am used to signs declaring 'no tools...' or 'no money...' is left in vehicles overnight. But vegetables? Are they worried someone will pilfer the parsnips, or burgle the broccoli? 

And finally, following recent elections, in answer to the question "What does our newly appointed Police Commissioner do?", I thought the best answer was "He is in charge of the bat-signal"

150 Years And Always

On Tuesday we took Steph to Salisbury - as well as the market and the Cathedral, we also visited many of the excellent charity shops in the city centre. Salisbury has a fair number of these - including two Barnardo's stores. One of these is a dedicated children's shop, with clothes, books, toys and baby equipment. They were celebrating especially this week as it is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Dr B's first mission in East London. 

I used to love telling the story when I was teaching RE - and my classes were truly interested in what this man did to help destitute children. You can read much more about the charity here, and here 

In 1866, over 5,500 people died from a cholera outbreak in London. Thomas John Barnardo had just arrived in London to train as a medical missionary. During the epidemic, he visited the homes of the poor to comfort the dying. This drew his attention to their plight, and he began preaching in alehouses and on street corners. His sermons were often met with abuse, and he was frequently pelted with rotten eggs, and even physically attacked. Undeterred, he opened the East End Juvenile Mission in Stepney - a 'ragged school' where children could get a basic education. He never did get to go abroad as a medical missionary - God had work for him to do in the UK. 

150 years on that work has grown and grown 

2016 marks 150 years since Thomas Barnardo founded the charity. Since then it has helped hundreds of thousands of children to grow up happy and healthy – but sadly, there is still more work to do.

Dangers old and new threaten young people but, through generous supporters, Barnardo’s will always be here for children in need. As the UK's leading children's charity, Barnardo's worked with 240,000 children, young people and families last year.

With support from ordinary people, over 960 vital services are run across the UK, including counselling for children who have been abused, fostering and adoption services, and disability support. Dedicated staff and volunteers tailor every Barnardo's service to meet the individual needs of children, but each has one vital thing in common: a belief in the potential of every child and young person to thrive – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through.

Over the entrance to the homes that the good doctor set up to provide a loving, secure family life for these children hung a sign reading

No destitute child ever refused admission

It is sad that so many children in our country need the help of Barnardo's - but I am so grateful to God that the charity continues to provide love and support to these little ones. Happy Anniversary, Barnardo's - and while there are still children in need, may you always be there to show them care and help.

Fun At The Food Festival

It was lovely to have Steph with us for 48 hours- and when we collected her from Christchurch Station on Sunday afternoon, we took the opportunity to walk down to the High Street and look at the Food Festival. It was a gloriously sunny day, and the smells of freshly cooked street foods, and the colours of the goods on display were fabulous.
And there were cocktails sticks and little plastic cups everywhere, with loads of free samples of food and drink. 

We walked back in order to get home and change before church - the busker was still happily playing in the subway and the daisies and tulips were looking pretty as ever.
But after the Giggly Pig, Tasty Pig and Crispy Duck Stalls, we were a little concerned about the "Four Legged Fancies Dog Bakery"
Well done to Bournemouth Water for giving away lovely glasses of chilled water - your staff were so cheerful, and these free drinks were so refreshing.
Events like this are good for the community and fun for families - but the sunshine really made it even better. 

Fancy A Trinitarian Fumble?

Now that's an intriguing title. It's all Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's fault. Liz recommended this book, and I borrowed it from the library. It is extremely interesting and there is loads in it - but one idea that I liked was his theory of the Holy Trinity of Puddings.
HFW says that all the best puddings have three components
one- fruity
two- creamy 
three- cakey/ crispy/ crunchy
I think he is right about this, consider these classic desserts...

• apple crumble and custard
• ice cream sundae in wafer basket
• trifle 
• black forest gateau
• classic fruit flan with creamy filling
• blackberry pie, clotted cream
• choc mousse on biscuit base with fruit garnish
• Sussex pond pud with lemon butter sauce
• Christmas pud and brandy butter

Each of these desserts includes his three components. HFW maintains that if you are using up leftovers to make a pudding, you should attempt some version of this trinity. e.g.

• plain yogurt, with a dollop of jam and a biscuit to dip in
• bread and butter pudding, with sultanas
• leftover sponge cake layered in a glass with sliced bananas and chocolate sauce

And the fumble? Hugh keeps a jar of ready prepared crumble topping to top leftover fruit. But instead of serving with cream or custard, he combines the fruit with the creaminess to make a fool, and then tops it with crumble.

fool + crumble = fumble

I don't usually buy a book immediately after reading it, but there is so much in this one I know I shall use that I treated myself [RRP £20, but I found it for £6 with free delivery on the internet] I'm sure I shall share more of the ideas and recipes with you later.

Bishy Barnabee

Bishy, bishy Barnabee
Tell me when my weddin' be
If it be amara day
Tairk your wings and floi away
Floi to the east, floi to the west
Floi to the one I love the best

This is an old Norfolk rhyme, about ladybirds. I thought of it when I saw the cute bishy barnabee decorating the bathroom floor at Liz's new place.

The rhyme is written in Norfolk dialect - amara is tomorrow, and tairk and floi are obviously take and fly. Bishy Barnabee is believed to be 'Bishop Bonner's Bee'

Bishop Edmund Bonner, 1500-1569 was a catholic priest under Henry VIII, serving both Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. He became Archdeacon of Leicester, but prior to that he was a priest in Dereham.


Here are Bishop Bonner's Cottages [now the Town Museum] next to the Parish Church


















BB was known as 'Bloody Bonner' for his cruel persecution of Protestants during the time of Mary Tudor. Some say the ladybirds got their nickname from the red colour of his cloak - others from the innocent blood he spilled. He was responsible for the arrests of Cranmer, Ridley and Latimer. Foxe's Book of Martyrs says...
“This cannibal in three years space three hundred martyrs slew
They were his food, he loved so blood, he sparèd none he knew.”
Historians are now beginning to suggest Bonner was not quite as bad as the Elizabethans made out - but I am not convinced.

So then, Bishy Barnabee is a pretty name with a rather unpleasant history. Personally I love ladybirds /ladybugs/ ladybeetles - whatever they are called. They are beautiful creatures who help gardeners and farmers by feasting on aphids. In my garden I face chives, dandelions, nasturtiums and thyme - all of which are supposed to attract these lovely creatures I am told. [I wish they ate slugs too]

It's Out Of The Bag!

Yes, well done, to the people who suggested the bags were for my WWDP Conference. My friend Natalie was running a session about 'praying with children and families'
The larger bags were designed to hold a small Bible, a notebook, post-it notes and a few pencils/crayons plus one of the smaller bags. The smaller bag was for 6 specific items.

The suggestion is that the family sits round together, towards the end of the day [maybe after tea or at bedtime] and ask the question "What has today been like for you?"
Each member of the family can pick one or more of the items from the little bag to show what experiences their day has included, whether good or bad. Then they can write [or draw] things to pray about in the notebook, and on the post-it notes. On subsequent days they can talk about what has happened, and answers to prayer. 
Here are the contents of the small bag - which come with a crib sheet to help you remember what they stand for!

Heart - has there been anything you have loved today?
Rock - has anything been hard today?
Star - encourage someone else in your family for something good they did or said today
Tea Light - has anything sparked or inspired you today?
Red Nose - has anything been funny today?
Shell - have you heard God today?
Thank you Natalie, I think this is a super idea. Most of the young women at our conference took these bags back to use with their families or church children's groups. So simple to produce, and so effective. [If you can't find a red nose, you could substitute a party-blower or other silly little toy]

How has it been for you today then? Which item[s] would you choose to represent your experiences? What would you write on your prayer-post-it to stick on the fridge?

Bank Holiday Eating And Drynkking

The annual Shipdham Drynkkings Fair is named after the brewing of beer in All Saints’ Church, which took place during the 15th and 16th century because the water was so unhealthy to drink. “Drynkkings” was the name given to these church ales. According to history, a village event was held each year around May to celebrate the beer that had been produced. The custom lapsed, and was revived in Millennium year.

 

We all went on Monday at lunchtime. It was a small but enjoyable village fete - with Kemp's Morris Men, and a local community choir. There were the usual stalls [Garden Club, Knitting Group, School Tombola etc] plus vans selling burgers, pasties, teas, coffee...and the ice cream van doing a great trade in 99s

Here is Marion enjoying the shepherd's hut. Eat your heart out, Lynda Snell. Technically it's not a shepherd's hut - it's where the man who drove the steamroller around lived when he was 'on the road'. Inside it's equipped with a bunk [cupboards underneath], plus a table, chair and a little stove for heating and cooking. The kettle was whistling away on Monday. Meanwhile, Bob, Jon and Ade were discussing the relative merits of bicycles

We all walked up to the Parish Church, where they have a wonderful bier for transporting coffins! Rosie was hungry, so Liz sat quietly in the back pew and gave her lunch, we were confident Jesus would not mind His House being used for such a purpose. Then we all strolled back to Adrian and Marion's place, where we had parked the cars.

One other sign which amused me, spotted in the village shop. Is this group for novices, or for people who can only arrange flowers which are budding? Normal for Norfolk!!