Jubilation.

Hello there! Today I have a quick overview of the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations. We hung around in our village where there was a number of functions going on...we didn't venture into London...the crowds were too large and the weather too lousy!

We had two celebrations in our village hall..the first was a supper...

with enough food to feed Britain...

with lots of healthy options...summer fruits are very good for you...

Whilst Liz kept an eye on things...

Two days later I was back in the hall again for the W.I. afternoon tea..

 We had great fun decorating with more red, white and blue...

We even had a memorabilia table...

and of course more food...

It was a big weekend of eating, drinking and toasting the Queen...and I may have put on a kilo!

Oh, and I can't go without showing you the lovely, tacky, plastic bunting dangling from our front window...all of 79 pence worth!!

Robx

Summer is here...in May!

Hi there...yes I'm still alive...just been away...had to go home to Oz for a while and I've returned to a very green and beautiful England. I cleverly missed all the rain here and I have just enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous week of sunny weather.

The fields are ablaze with yellow rapeseed...

the woods are green and leafy...

even the wildlife is out and about..

colour co-ordinating beautifully with the surrounding fields.

And nothing says summer like butterflies...

These photos were taken at the Butterfly House at Blenheim Palace...we visited on the weekend and walked around the beautiful grounds....

Needless to say, I took loads of photos...and although we had missed the best of the spring flowers there were still plenty of blooms to see..

There were some pink thingamajigs...

and purple somethingorothers...

Luckily there were also some flowers that I knew the names of....

Granny Bonnets...

Poppies..

very pretty Irises...

delicate Bleeding Hearts...

Rhodies dazzling in the sunshine...

distant orange flowers looking beautiful reflected in an ornamental pond...

and finally a magnificent Laburnum.

We have our four day weekend coming up to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee...and of course the weather has gone to pot...but the flags are flying and the bunting is out...will report back next week on the celebrations.

Till then have a great weekend!

                                                    Robx

More flowers in the house & a squirrel

A random post today with some pretty flowers  to share....

It's a bit of a pink theme, starting with this lovely rose...

and a few more plonked into old bottles...

These arrived for my birthday...a riot of pinks...

did I say a pink theme...

I have to show you these...

With the weather looking threatening, and all the daffs knocked about, I thought I would rescue these tulips from the garden...and within 15 mintues they had opened up like dinner plates...

And finally, my little friend is back...swinging from the bird feeder...

he must have run out of nuts...he's hilarious..very determinely sucking the seeds out from the wire...

A beautiful home

Whilst I was in Australia, I visited my lovely friend...you know...the one that gives me really great pressies...here and here...

I had been dying to visit as last year she had only just completed the renovation of her newly acquired house and I didn't get to see it furnished....

The first thing to greet me at the front door was this chest of drawers with the most amazing plaster ceiling rose propped on top...

a great recent find that looks really effective (if I could have nicked it I would have)...

On the other side of the entry is an old chair and some interesting bits on the wall...

pieces of script, a rosary and a poor unfortunate beast's head...

Into the living room and pigeon holes stocked full of great stuff...

and a desk strewn with yet more collected goodies...

An eclectic display in one corner really had my heart racing.

Her dresser is very well 'dressed'...lined with French papers...

displaying her clever vignettes...

An arrangement of old crates provides more storage and interest on a large wall...

along with two stern looking 'ancestors' adorning an old piece of wire.

Another interesting corner, with a Madonna praying on a beautiful chest..

A glimpse onto the deck and a vintage French bistro setting...

The kitchen is a study of simplicity and style with subway tiles and an all white colour scheme which serves to showcase more lovely vintage collectibles.

Simple shelving provides the opportunity for ever-changing displays

A glimpse into the bathroom..hexagonal floor tiles, beautiful cabinetry and a butlers style sink...

beautiful taps from the English Tapware Co. and vintage mirrors complete this gorgeous room.

A little girls bedroom to die for...

complete with her own vintage French chair.

The master bedroom is decorated in a  lovely pale palette..

and more amazing props and furniture.

Are you all drooling yet??

I can't wait to return home with all my collected goodies and start re-decorating my own home....one day...my friend and I will have a great time...I might even have to 'borrow' a few items from her place!!