Sculptural seed heads

I love the way the sun shines through these old glass bottles when they are on the windowsill. I can't resist bringing a few alium seed heads indoors to enjoy their explosion of starriness and also leaving a few in the garden for the birds and because they look so beautiful and sparkling covered in frost.

Jamie's Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble

Yes, I know, I have been away for ages and you had forgotten I existed. But now I am back and plan/hope to do this much more often! So anyway, yesterday I made Jamie's Rhubarb & Ginger Crumble with a bunch of smashing rhubarb donated by my sister. It's super scrummy and I highly recommend you try it. The recipe is easy peasy too, and you'll find it at this link:

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fruit-recipes/rhubarb-sticky-stem-ginger-crumble

Hever Castle and a very special 13th birthday celebration

Little M (in flowery top) wanted to celebrate her 13th birthday in a special way so she chose to spend the day at Hever Castle in Kent (also pictured are her BFF and little E in the flowery skirt). Hever was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn; a stunning moated castle surrounded by glorious gardens including a yew maze one can get lost in (we know....we did!), a water maze (for an exhililerating cold shower) and many other delights. The girls were particularly fascinated by this statue, whose bare buttocks we spied through a little gap and which provoked shrieks of delight and mirth. And just look at the vivid colour of those flowers (azaleas, I think) - the photo doesn't really do them justice - their pinkiness was almost blinding, in a good way. The morris dancers, maypole, mediaevel musicians, and costumed staff added so much to the atmosphere and the sun helpfully shone all day. Everyone was in agreement that this was the most perfect day out and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Captain's Wood

On Easter Saturday we went for a walk through a carpet of bluebells and primroses in Captain's Wood, and even spied a herd of deer through the trees. Birdsong is the only sound that breaks the stillness and peace. Well, that and the chatter and laughter of the girls of course. And we were happily remembering a little event of 19 years ago, on Easter Saturday (it was 18th April that year), when the boy and I were married in a little house in Stowmarket that had once belonged to the poet, Milton. The primroses in the wood reminded me of those on our wedding cake.

Portrait of Bono by Little E

We are excited and proud that Little E's portrait of Bono has been chosen for inclusion in the Primary Art Exhibition at Colchester's Slack Space, which runs until 15 April. The exhibition showcases work by children aged between 5-11 from seven primary schools in and around the Colchester area. The work is of an amazingly high standard, full of vibrant colour and imagination and is well worth a visit.

Pet Sounds wallpaper from Mini Moderns

I have totally fallen in love with this fabulous wallpaper from the Festival collection at Mini Moderns which comes in three colourways - orange, blue and bitter chocolate. Now just need to find a suitable wall and choose my colour..........

"Pet Sounds" Festival wallpaper from Mini Moderns

I have totally fallen in love with this fabulous wallpaper from Mini Moderns http://minimoderns.com which comes in three colourways (orange, blue or bitter chocolate - all gorgeous!). Now just need to find a suitable wall and choose a colour.....