Keeping...

...up to date with twitter and feed.  What?  the League One play off...(I wanted to listen to the Test).

I am so glad I wasn't involved, it was bad enough against Sunderland, but I couldn't have been either Huddersfield or Sheffield United's supporters today and the drama of the penaltes!  Finally after 120 minutes of game, the final score was 8 - 7 to Huddersfield on penalties scored, with the final Blades penalty being missed by their goalie, after saving their bacon, several times, during the match.

I know it might seem easy, when I can say from the position of champions, but I do feel for all Sheffield United fans...it's a cruel way to lose, especially when their city rivals grabbed automatic promotion in the last weeks of the season.  I wish them well and automatic promotion next season, as unwanted as that is right now.  Good luck to Huddersfield...we'll see you next season!

And the Test!?  Well, just finishing for the day...and after clearing the last four WIndies wickets, and a little bit of a sticky start...another ton for Strauss and Pietersen 72 off 100 balls, both back tomorrow....

...now just England United to go...

A little change...

...of emphasis recently.

Over the last few weeks I've been sewing away to my hearts content and have come up with these text cushions...

the above are available....and the following are an order...

Docking...

...is a village halfway between me and the coast.  Not long ago an enterprising person had the idea of a local produce market there and Docking Market was born and you can find it at Dr W E Ripper Memorial Hall in the High Street.  It's a great mix of food and crafty gifts and ever growing, and from the 6th June I'll be there...so, I look forward to meeting everyone at 10am on that date!

I'll still be at Swaffham Indoor Market on Fridays...and will be there all weekend over the Jubilee (or that's the plan!)

Also had a great lunch at La Campagna can't wait for the yurt to go up and then visit for an evening.  Such a lovely couple...

And has anyone been watching Chelsea...the garden version, plants and gardens to die for.  So, if I can get rid of the rabbits, and stop next doors horse from eating my garden....I can be inspired!  With the sun shining on it...it's a work in progress!  My little bit of horticulture continued yesterday with a visit to Peter Beales Roses.  I simply love roses...especially the old varieties, but since childhood I've had one particularly in my life, it's called Meg and has large, single flowers of peach-apricot.  Why has it been with me for so long?  My mother bought it for my father on their second wedding anniversary, which was the week before I was born, it moved with us each time the family moved, and now has been settled for the best part of fifty years...and now I have my own...

Oh...and PS....they won gold at Chelsea...again!

The new...

...prints have arrived and will be ready for sale at Swaffham on Friday at the indoor market.

Thank goodness, I was nearly out of them.  I'm asked about them every week...am I the artist.  I'm honest and say no...I'm not that talented.  Elle has all the talent...just gets the look in the eye just right, plus everything else.

This is her "A Winter Story".  I'm nearly out of the hare prints, but do have a rooster this time.  I've lots of greyhound and whippet prints for those who've been asking.

Of course, the French soap will be there as usual...verveine, masculin and lavender, plus olive oil soaps...body lotion and shower gel...just ask if you can't make Swaffham and would like to know more.  It won't be long before my whole range of items will be displayed.  Sandra...who has let me perch at the end of her tables, is moving (with her husband) into a shop in June...so exciting!  And I'm taking over the tables...so I'll see you there on Fridays!

Home...

...from having great fun at Drove Orchard Food and Craft Fair.  It was a tad chilly, but sunny all morning and people came in their "droves" (sorry for the pun!)...  Sold a variety of items and lots of people asking about other bits.

It's always good to catch up with other stallholders, old friends and to make new ones.  Now I could sleep for a week...but, photos need to be taken, a website needs to be finished...

So the next one is Sunday, July 22....and if you didn't get to todays, then we'll love to see you then!  And it's been said I can take the other items too!

Bank Holiday Monday...

...we're at Drove Food and Craft Market, at Drove Orchard, Thornham, on Monday 7th...unfortunately no jewellery, as already some there, but you'll see all sorts of other bits and pieces...

Just a little sample...(in reality my camera keeps draining).  Linen covers, with feather fillings...also there will be lavender hearts...seat belt comfies...pin cushions, plus more....and other cushions!

It will be great to see you...I'm a friendly soul!

A completely...

...good week!

Monday was our wedding anniversary...thirty five years young and still happy.  Like most we have had highs and lows, but the lows haven't been depths, and are usually because of something daft and not meaningful.  We took ourselves off to Dereham, (not the highlight capital of Norfolk), but we just wanted to do something normal, as we're usually at opposite ends of Anglia for the week, so try to cram all into weekends.  It's a pleasant town and has the joy of "Steptoes"...second-hand furniture store which can hide gems...we turned up two, which came home with us, so our kitchen is now complete...after two years.

Whilst in France I found a market stall selling linen, how can you not buy some...so having washed and pressed it, I started making the cushions for Drove Orchard Fair...7th May is the day.  I will be taking some photos...so please be patient.  There will be other items too.

Then to top the week Charlton (already promoted) were crowned champions, with the possibility of taking another record...highest League One points tally.  So, with a manager who is in his first managerial job...and a team of nearly all new players, who didn't need time to gel or learn how to play together...(beautiful excuses), they did it and showed those who doubted exactly what they were made of!  I hope all doubters are eating humble pie...  All you need is belief...

And....

...we did it!!

Well, that's the royal we and not the actual 'I kicked the ball' we.  Though I feel as though I've kicked every ball of the season so far...but, joy overflows.  Now to relax and go up as champions....pretty please!

And...I'm also back from visiting Provence.  Two weeks in the sunshine can't be bad, even if it was for working too.

All new...

...and shiny.  I have been developing a website for the WI branch I belong to.  Just enough to keep dates and information on, and so simple...just a drag, drop and fill format.  We're up and running...

Houghton and The Rudhams WI

that's us....

My goodness...

...life can be full of peaks and troughs, ups, downs and roundabouts.  Complicated and then a breeze, but it's a way of knowing you're still here.  Where I vanished to is another story...and nothing harmful to me, but it's one I'm not exposing.

So...bejeebers I'm a happy person on the football front...my team are top of their league with a gap of ten points between us and second place, both are automatic promotion positions.  We are in a strong position (the gap to third is twelve points) and we could extend this further this evening if we win..   I'm guessing we kind of sucked our collective breath in over a few matches, managing more draws, but this has been rectified in the last two and now for a push to the end...after tonights we have another thirteen, a total of forty two points, so a lot still to play for.  I haven't been to a match this season, (lucky husband has), so maybe that's why they're doing so well, I seem to jinx them.  But, I listen...cheer and jump around the room...who could ask for more!  I was happy when the board decided on employing Chris Powell as manager, and I've never had a doubt.  The changes he wrought through the summer were considerable, but none have failed...one or two need a little more help than others, but none have failed as disasterously as previously.  I'm one happy red supporter....surrounded by content yellow supporters who are also a happy bunch, so it's a happy place here in Norfolk.

What else?  The room is almost finished, just a few bits to do, some waxing and top coating, then all finished and on to the next project.

Workwise...it's more fabric than glass based at present.  I've a table at a craft fair at Drove Orchard, Thornham, the May Day bank holiday Monday, but no jewellery...with that the sewing machine has been going ten to a dozen and I've been getting my stock straight.  I'll also have some individually designed handbags, cards and prints for sale, my own handmade scarves, seat belt comfies...bags, cushions, etc...yup, I can use cloth and a machine.  I found some great Donegal tweed, very simple...very cheap (price) and the fabric I've chosen to go with it is subtley bright to give an added twist, also I picked up some great vintage pieces...free!  Free is a good word!!

On top of that...France is on the horizon.  A friend asked if I'd like to go with her to her house, and who am I to say nope!!  It's where husband and I went last year and a more beautiful part of the continent you couldn't wish for.  Mountains, views and peace...who could ask for more.  Okay...markets, cafes and people watching, but that's thrown in too. 

There...I've decided a smile is worth more than a frown, to be content within what you can achieve and if things are done to you, then rise above them...life is yours to enjoy, not for others to besmirch.