A quick catch up....

A huge thank you to all my friends for your lovely comments recently they mean such a lot. Things are getting pretty hectic around here now - with just over a month to my final mammoth assignment I don't seem to have time for anything. So - for the moment I'm blogging as and when I can and apologise now if I miss any of your posts.

So here's a catch up on what's been happening down my way over the last week.

Last Sunday we were having coffee in our sitting room when John spotted this strutting past our front window.

We couldn't believe our eyes

It was obviously a bit peckish as it was happy to eat some breadcrumbs

we threw out of the window

We have since heard that it belongs as a pet to someone living about a quarter of a mile away who often lets it out. It finds it way home later in the day when it feels like it - like a cat will do. 

I was absorbed with my reading last week and feeling pretty stressed out when the postman knocked. He had a parcel for me and I definitely wasn't expecting one. Well to my absolute delight this is what I received all wrapped up in this pretty fabric and sent as a RAK from the lovely Heidi in Holland such a lovely Random Act of Kindness and so much appreciated. Made my day!

These are called 'Lapkins' that she made from fabric purchased at an Alsacian factory in France. So pretty and reminds me of William Morris fabric.

and then she crocheted the napkin rings to go with them

which she had attached some gorgeous vintage brass buttons

Thank you once again Heidi I love them and as you suggested will come in handy for out in the garden (when we get some sun of course)

Thought I'd show you a couple of charity shop finds too.

I really don't need any more bone china tea sets but couldn't resist this one. I just love the colour which is a very pale pink almost white and the pattern is so pretty.

and also this cut glass cake stand/fruit bowl - not sure which but will do for either.

Again I have a sideboard full of them - well three or four at least. But hey it'll come in handy

As it was half term last week my daughter had a friend and her daughter to stay and they took me out for the day with young L to Suffolk for the day. We first of all went to Jimmy's Farm - where it rained all day long - not an animal was to be seen by us - they were there somewhere but had the sense to stay inside their pens, barns, stables etc, although we did see some day old chicks which pleased L.

So what were us girls to do with ourselves - a pub lunch - that'll keep us happy and it did too. We found one called the Butt and Oyster by the river near Ipswich which in the Summer would be idyllic but in the rain - dismal.

This ploughmans with cheese and ham was divine and kept us out of trouble for a few hours catching up with all the girlie chat as you do over a glass of wine or three.

We had friends to stay this weekend so made these yummy chocolate brownies  which I only just remembered to snap before they all went - recipe another time.

Well that's all the news from here and will be back soon.

I'd like to welcome my new followers - Serendipity, Lavender Attic, Tanya, Louise and Ivan - lovely to have you on board.