Extended Easter

The second week of Easter we stayed in Amsterdam and visited lots of beautiful places, taking in lots of the Dutch architecture. Only problem was due to a mountainous mass of rock spewing ash etc we could not fly home! Now most people would probably jump for joy at this news being stuck abroad for me well it was a different story. WHY? I drove my poor husband barmy I will never really understand but for the four additional days and one travelling day I was away from beloved blighty I was not a happy chick. You could say this Easter I learn't a lot about myself. I am a self confessed control freak in the sense that I like to feel I am holding the reigns and during that week I certainly wasn't. But hey ho I thought I would share some moments we captured.

Keukenhof Gardens ......Tulip paradise!

Beautiful Blossom!

The theme this year at Keukenhof is 'From Russia with Love'

Great swathes of hyacinths and daffodils created carpets of colour.

I missed Ethel though and found this fella to make me smile.

Someone has been reading the handmade nation!

Every space is so thoughtful.

We visited Vondel Park I made .......

A daisy caterpillar, it reminded me of Primary School days.

There were lots of funny things like this man playing his music whilst travelling along the canal.

Henrietta Heron.....?

A visit to Marken

Back in the city....

But my heart was at home and I was glad to see Ethel once more!

For those that wondered we eventually got the very LAST cabin on an overnight ferry from Roterdam only 24hours and 10 modes of transport later we were back home.

Just shows how we all rely on technology and take it for granted!

Ciao X

Easter Antics and Sophie Dahl

I am just LOVING the Sophie Dahl Series 'Delicious Miss Dahl' I have just spent an hour or so this morning catching up with my viewing of last nights NOSTALGIA episode. I love love love the part where she made the victoria sponge and flapjacks. I watch with awe and amazement and she recalls moments from her past, she lets us know just enough to capture a snapshot in time and then swiftly moves on. Good on her I say too many folk are just TOO nosey and want to know all too much. We are very excited as her newly wed the Amazing Mr Culum Jazz artiste non the less will be making an appearance in Birmingham next month. We can't wait Mr H brought me his newly released album Christmas think I might listen today.

Oh How I adore Sophies kitchen well I think it is her kitchen??? clever TV I guess!, but I am sure I would cope even if it was a TV set kitchen, I am the girl who after all could easily set up home in Laura Ashleys store, room settings.

Well anyway...... The Easter low down....... I hope you all had a happy Easter!!

Lots of these faces were found inthe Uk I am sure!

I once again have packed my 2 weeks holiday with countless tasks which I will no doubt feel demoralised if I do not achieve ........Why oh WHY do I raise the Bar so HIGH???????

(In fact ....Don't we all?)

So my list of To Do's which I hope will result in some Ta Da's !!

* Clean House (CHECK)

*Prepare for mini holiday to Holland

*Take Ethel to Vets (She isn't sick)

*Paint stools aquired from school skip/throw out!!

*Paint Drawer unit and cover with oil cloth

*Make a stash of goodies

*Make Birthday present

*Knit

*Read

*Gardening

*Blog (check)

*School marking/planning

*Take shoes back !!

Unfortunately not these lovely shoes!! I fear I may not get my big feet in them! Maybe I should have had my feet wrapped in tight bandages when I was small?? Unfortunately then my six foot frame would probably end up horizontal hmmmm???? So I must get up now and make a trip to M&S (liking the adverts as ever by the way) as I have made another wrong purchase once again! I am sure my feet grow and shrink in a day!! So I am off now to do just that....and purchase some mini oven proof dishes for my homemade fishpie supper for four. Yes we are having dinner guests how exciting!!

Ciao X