Family Picnic

So your wayward blogger returns.

I had my family picnic. This slice of awesomeness is second only to the family party, where we spendall evening playing silly games and dancing. This one takes place on the New Forest at Ocknell's Pond on the Sunday before the August Bank Holiday. It's all about french cricket ans den building and the Magic Kitkat tree where the fairies leave you chocolate.

As is my way, I invited my good friends to come too, and some had never ever built a den before. We quickly rectified that, and I believe a good time was had by all. Every time I attend one of these family events I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have this, how awesome it is to be in touch with so many of your extended relatives, how interesting people are and I kick my former self for moaning about going as a snotty teenager.

It also reminds me of how great my friends are, as countless aunties remark how nice it is to see young adults joining in with all the games. I also have to stop and sigh a bit as I watch Tom being the one who joins in the most, who cuts down the most ferns and plays french cricket the most viciously and competetively. With all the stress of recent weeks, it's good to be reminded of how good he is for me.

Here are some pictures from my Mum:

This is my godson and cousin Max, with my aunty, Vicky. Max spent most of his time on the coolbox. As you can see it was fun.

Max really likes Lala, and I had a Lala backpack from my non- conformist extraordinaire years when I was about 14. He loved it.

This is my cousin Kate, and my second cousins Blake and Safira. They are in the den made from lots of twigs and sticks and ferns between three trees.

Marmaduke had never made a den before, having grown up in the city. So mum made him pose awkwardly next to it for a picture.

Paddy liked waving to people through the gaps in the walls. It looks like he's being swallowed by it. He's Kate and Max's brother.

Here I am failing miserably at French Cricket with my second cousin Beth on the right, and selection of my friends.

Finally here's Tom in a Tree. I've never seen him so proud or happy.

Family Picnic

So your wayward blogger returns.

I had my family picnic. This slice of awesomeness is second only to the family party, where we spendall evening playing silly games and dancing. This one takes place on the New Forest at Ocknell's Pond on the Sunday before the August Bank Holiday. It's all about french cricket ans den building and the Magic Kitkat tree where the fairies leave you chocolate.

As is my way, I invited my good friends to come too, and some had never ever built a den before. We quickly rectified that, and I believe a good time was had by all. Every time I attend one of these family events I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have this, how awesome it is to be in touch with so many of your extended relatives, how interesting people are and I kick my former self for moaning about going as a snotty teenager.

It also reminds me of how great my friends are, as countless aunties remark how nice it is to see young adults joining in with all the games. I also have to stop and sigh a bit as I watch Tom being the one who joins in the most, who cuts down the most ferns and plays french cricket the most viciously and competetively. With all the stress of recent weeks, it's good to be reminded of how good he is for me.

Here are some pictures from my Mum:

This is my godson and cousin Max, with my aunty, Vicky. Max spent most of his time on the coolbox. As you can see it was fun.

Max really likes Lala, and I had a Lala backpack from my non- conformist extraordinaire years when I was about 14. He loved it.

This is my cousin Kate, and my second cousins Blake and Safira. They are in the den made from lots of twigs and sticks and ferns between three trees.

Marmaduke had never made a den before, having grown up in the city. So mum made him pose awkwardly next to it for a picture.

Paddy liked waving to people through the gaps in the walls. It looks like he's being swallowed by it. He's Kate and Max's brother.

Here I am failing miserably at French Cricket with my second cousin Beth on the right, and selection of my friends.

Finally here's Tom in a Tree. I've never seen him so proud or happy.

All Pictures and Lists...

Sat here listening to Lisa Mantchev's Playlist, (she's my current author du jour, and I've been reading her blog for years so when she gets big you've heard it here first!), enjoying the 40s swing, I thought I'd let you have the pictures of what I've been up to recently. But first a list:

G O O D T H I N G S O F T H E D A Y

1. My nice bf giving me a lift to the station even though it was early o'clock.
2. Getting around London really easily with my Oyster card.
3. The buskers under Millenium bridge who combined djembe drumming with jazz trumpet. In The Mood sounded awesome with an african undercurrent.
   
4. My interview being almost enjoyable, and being told that deferrment is definately a possibilty.
5. Buying a hat for £1.
   
6. The Islamic art exhibition in the British Museum.

Now Pictures....

Take these yummy ingredients...

...Stir into gently heated condensed milk...

...and bake to make Nigella's fabulous breakfast bars.

Tom and I also made her chocolate brownies...

... those these were much better the next day when they had gone all cold and gooey.


I went to visit Winchester Cathedral with Tom and got all arty...


I found some really odd keyrings in the shop.



I also got some beautiful flowers from Tom. Just because.

All Pictures and Lists...

Sat here listening to Lisa Mantchev's Playlist, (she's my current author du jour, and I've been reading her blog for years so when she gets big you've heard it here first!), enjoying the 40s swing, I thought I'd let you have the pictures of what I've been up to recently. But first a list:

G O O D T H I N G S O F T H E D A Y

1. My nice bf giving me a lift to the station even though it was early o'clock.
2. Getting around London really easily with my Oyster card.
3. The buskers under Millenium bridge who combined djembe drumming with jazz trumpet. In The Mood sounded awesome with an african undercurrent.
   
4. My interview being almost enjoyable, and being told that deferrment is definately a possibilty.
5. Buying a hat for £1.
   
6. The Islamic art exhibition in the British Museum.

Now Pictures....

Take these yummy ingredients...

...Stir into gently heated condensed milk...

...and bake to make Nigella's fabulous breakfast bars.

Tom and I also made her chocolate brownies...

... those these were much better the next day when they had gone all cold and gooey.


I went to visit Winchester Cathedral with Tom and got all arty...


I found some really odd keyrings in the shop.



I also got some beautiful flowers from Tom. Just because.

Where are we?

I spent this morning running around Shirley, getting lost, using the wonders of the mobile to get Toddy to direct me to the Sorting Office, and finally picking up a parcel for Tom before it got returned to sender due to him being in France.
I am supposed to be finishing my reading before commencing the 4000 word beast of an essay on the Elephantine community of the 5th BCE in Egypt of Jewish mercenaries. Any takers to do it for me?

Mentally I'm a bit all over the place at the moment. I think I just want to hibernate.

Tom is not here. Which is very strange as the last few weeks we have been nearly inseperable. My housemate commented last night how impressed he was that Tom and I do work in each other's company and generally look out for each other. I was chuffed Pinstripe had noticed. I feel a little bit like I've lost my shadow or my reflection. Still it does give me a chance to finish wrapping his Christmas presents which you cannot do if someone's around cooking you gorgeous roast lamb or whisking you away for weekends in the countryside.

Of which we have done both recently. We stayed with his mum in a village near Andover and tramped through muddy woods with dogs in wellies, and stayed up late playing Elite Cow, the dairy cow breeding game that's fun for all the family. You purchase sperm rings for £100 a pop and then try and breed the Elite Cow of the title. Hilarious, a bit like Monopoly with cattle. It was all very cosy, and fun to help him out clearing out his childhood things, reading his school reports and the like.

The essay writing sucks when everyone else around you is being festive. I escaped home to go to the dentist and to go carolling with my family and friends. We had one very merry (read tipsy) old gent come out, and conduct us through "Hark.." and quiz us on who wrote the lyrics and music. Other than that I was chuffed as Mum had made me a Mrs Christmas cape and given me my first Christmas badge to pin on it. I'm a real grown up lady now! Now to make the beautiful red full skirted dress to wear with it...


I shall leave you with some pictures of various things....

The Roman Baths at Bath at Twilight, from the road trip Rob, Louise, Tom and I took.

Tom makes awesome gravy...

...whilst Alex comes over all interior designy and puts baubles in glasses...

...and decorates very small tree that sit under her lovely screen print.

...before sitting down to this awsom reduced leg of lamb we got in Tescos....Yum!

Where are we?

I spent this morning running around Shirley, getting lost, using the wonders of the mobile to get Toddy to direct me to the Sorting Office, and finally picking up a parcel for Tom before it got returned to sender due to him being in France.
I am supposed to be finishing my reading before commencing the 4000 word beast of an essay on the Elephantine community of the 5th BCE in Egypt of Jewish mercenaries. Any takers to do it for me?

Mentally I'm a bit all over the place at the moment. I think I just want to hibernate.

Tom is not here. Which is very strange as the last few weeks we have been nearly inseperable. My housemate commented last night how impressed he was that Tom and I do work in each other's company and generally look out for each other. I was chuffed Pinstripe had noticed. I feel a little bit like I've lost my shadow or my reflection. Still it does give me a chance to finish wrapping his Christmas presents which you cannot do if someone's around cooking you gorgeous roast lamb or whisking you away for weekends in the countryside.

Of which we have done both recently. We stayed with his mum in a village near Andover and tramped through muddy woods with dogs in wellies, and stayed up late playing Elite Cow, the dairy cow breeding game that's fun for all the family. You purchase sperm rings for £100 a pop and then try and breed the Elite Cow of the title. Hilarious, a bit like Monopoly with cattle. It was all very cosy, and fun to help him out clearing out his childhood things, reading his school reports and the like.

The essay writing sucks when everyone else around you is being festive. I escaped home to go to the dentist and to go carolling with my family and friends. We had one very merry (read tipsy) old gent come out, and conduct us through "Hark.." and quiz us on who wrote the lyrics and music. Other than that I was chuffed as Mum had made me a Mrs Christmas cape and given me my first Christmas badge to pin on it. I'm a real grown up lady now! Now to make the beautiful red full skirted dress to wear with it...


I shall leave you with some pictures of various things....

The Roman Baths at Bath at Twilight, from the road trip Rob, Louise, Tom and I took.

Tom makes awesome gravy...

...whilst Alex comes over all interior designy and puts baubles in glasses...

...and decorates very small tree that sit under her lovely screen print.

...before sitting down to this awsom reduced leg of lamb we got in Tescos....Yum!

Dancing + person with a good camera = Things I want to paint!

Thanks to Peter for taking the pics. I think there maybe some self portraiture going on this summer...where did I put the oil pastels?