Thursday 29 July 2010

Day 10 / A Photo of You Taken More Then 10 Years Ago

This was taken on August 12th 1978

My dress was a simple cream polyester with a very fine cream jacket with a peplum waist and frill down the front. I didn't want a veil and decided to have flowers in my hair instead but the florist told me I was really too old at 24 for that so I bought a hat instead! I later wore the hat again to a garden party at Buckingham Palace many years ago.

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Day 9 A Photo That You Took

I take loads of photos every day of stock for my website, in fact I took 120 on Sunday!
This photo I took of my mum and stepfather taken about 2 years ago on a beach in north Cornwall. I just love the look between them.

Monday 26 July 2010

Day 8 A Photo That Makes you Angry/Sad

This photo was taken in 1974 when I was 21 years old. It is of my dad and me, he died several years ago.
My parents divorced when I was 10 and my mum and I moved to Cornwall from Derbyshire. I then only saw my father once a year for a holiday. I would travel on my own on a train to see him then after two weeks he would put me back on the train homeward bound. Even as I am typing this I can feel the emotions that I felt then - a little girl saying goodbye to her daddy knowing she wouldn't see him for another year.




Day 7 A Photo That Makes You Happy

It's difficult posting photos as most of mine are in a box somewhere in one of the loft cupboards but I have this one displayed on my kitchen wall.

This was taken in 1986 and is my daughter Rosie, wire haired dachshund Geordie and me walking near our home in Cornwall. I just love it and it makes me so happy looking at it and remembering how Rosie wouldn't go anywhere without her woolly hat with a rabbit on the top!

Wednesday 21 July 2010

Day 6 Whatever Tickles Your Fancy

I am lagging behind everyone else because I have been away for a few days to Tylney Hall in Hampshire, a country house hotel set in 66 acres of gardens.

Let me guide you through the front door
up the stairs
to our room

which overlooked one of the pools.

I straight away started on the box of chocolates

and look at this beautiful bouquet which was also for me.

All the wives who were accompanying their husbands at this business conference were given a beauty treatment of their choice on the first day (I chose an anti ageing facial) then I explored the beautiful grounds.

On the second day we had an official guided walk around Winchester.

I know the city quite well as we live near but it was very interesting and I learnt a lot of things. For instance I didn't know that Jane Austen was the last person to be interred in the cathedral.

This plaque was provided by the Jane Austen society and there are always fresh flowers here.

This is the oldest restaurant in Winchester where we had lunch.

Tuesday 20 July 2010

Day 5 Favourite Quote

This has to be

Better to have tried and failed than failed to try.

(I have been away for a few days so am now well behind others taking part in this 30 days/30 posts).

Thursday 15 July 2010

Day 4 Favourite Book

Now this is really too difficult to narrow down to one book. For the BBC's Big Read in 2003 where people could vote for their favourite book I voted for Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'; this came 6th. Number one was Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings' which I have never read, nor shall I ever as it is not the sort of book I would enjoy at all.
The book I have read more times than any other has been 'Great Expectations' but this is because I have had to study it for two different courses. I did enjoy it though and far more than any other Dickens' book I have read.



Out of all the books I have read recently the one I enjoyed most has been 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. It actually moved me to tears at the end and it has had this effect on two other friends of mine who have read it.

At the moment I am reading 'Roots' by Alex Haley and can't put it down! Next in line is 'Life Class' by Diana Athill which I bought after seeing her interviewed on TV a couple of weeks ago.

Wednesday 14 July 2010

Day 3 Favourite TV Programme


I think the TV programme I have probably enjoyed the most was 'All Creatures Great and Small'. I used to look forward all week to another episode of this every Sunday evening (I think I was secretly in love with Tristan too).
At the moment I am enjoying 'Mary Queen of Shops'.

Day 2 Favourite Movie


My favourite film of all time is Bridges over Madison County featuring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.

If you decide to watch it have some tissues at the ready!

30 days/ 30 favourites

I have decided to join in with this tag.
Day 01 - Your favourite song
Day 02 - Your favourite movie
Day 03 - Your favourite TV programme
Day 04 - Your favourite book
Day 05 - Your favourite quote
Day 06 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 - A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 - A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 - A photo that you took
Day 10 - A photo of you taken over 10 years ago
Day 11 - A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 - A fictional book
Day 14 - A non-fictional book
Day 15 - A fanfic
Day 16 - A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 - An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture etc.)
Day 18 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 - A talent of yours
Day 20 - A hobby of yours
Day 21 - A recipe
Day 22 - A website
Day 23 - A YouTube video
Day 24 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 - Your day, in great detail
Day 26 - Your week, in great detail
Day 27 - This month, in great detail
Day 28 - This year, in great detail
Day 29 - Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 - Whatever tickles your fancy

Day 1 Favourite Song

How on earth can one narrow this down to one song? There are so many but I have always loved 'Moonlight Seranade' (I know, not actually a song!)



Can I add two more?
James Taylor's 'You've Got A Friend'



and Emmylou Harris singing 'Here, There and Everywhere'

Friday 9 July 2010

Vincent Van Gogh


At my art group we have been studying Van Gogh. I hadn't realised how much work he produced in his very short life (37 years). He didn't start painting until his late twenties and much of his most famous work was produced during the last two years of his life. He produced more than 2,000 artworks (900 paintings and 1,100 sketches) and I believe he only sold one during his life.

The self portrait above is more uncommon as most he painted show himself with a beard. This particular one sold for $71.5 million in 1998.
My favourites are 'The Peasant Couple Going To Work'



and 'The Siesta'



Of course, it is well known that he was a very troubled man. I find this painting ('At Eternity's Gate') haunting as he produced this in the last year of his life.

On 27th July 1890 Van Gogh shot himself in the chest and died two days later from his wounds. His brother reported his last words to be "La tristesse durera toujours" (the sadness will last forever).

I bought the single record of Don McLean's song 'Vincent' in 1972. Here it is on youtube, it never ceases to bring a tear to my eye.

Saturday 3 July 2010

Lloyd Loom & Bedroom Makeover

Before.....

and after......
I painted the chair with Farrow & Ball's 'Light Blue' which I had used in the spare bedroom above the coving. I haven't finished the cushion yet but this Kate Forman fabric is perfect for the pink and blue theme in the bedroom.

The bedroom is more or less finished. I took my inspiration from all the lovely blossom we had a few months ago and an eiderdown I already had so decided to have mostly pink and blue in there. The walls were painted in F & B's 'Dimity' which I think has a pinky tinge to it (husband said it looked like Magnolia!). I painted the floorboards white (4 coats!) and added 2 rugs we already had plus a new one. The blinds are off white and I added paper flowers to the tabs on the cream Ikea curtains.

The fireplace came from a salvage yard and I painted it white, whilst the hearth tiles were already there (underneath an old carpet). The what-not in the corner was painted in F & B's French Grey and is ideal to display some of my commerative china from Porthleven. The pink floor lamp was a bargain from Ikea at £9.99.

It's a very light and sunny room and I am really pleased with the result.