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Wednesday 16 July 2014

Everything in the garden's lovely ...


Good morning my lovelies! My house looks like a furniture warehouse (this place is like Ozzie Wood's ... as my Mam used to say) ... with pieces waiting to be magically transformed for my own event.  Ooh, I'm excited. but there's a lot of work to be done. I've consulted the long-term weather forecast and hopefully it's going to be a nice weekend ... sunshine would be wonderful, but as long as it's not raining it will be fine.

I trial-runned this sale last year, and it was the hottest, sunniest day of the year ... this year I'm going to do the whole weekend, so need loads of stock.  When I go to fairs, I'm obviously limited by how far away the venue is, and what I can fit in my car, but by doing this I can sell larger items, such as dressers, wardrobes and dressing tables, etc.  (I just hope that I sell them, I dread to think where they will go, if not!)

So if you've got a couple of hours free and don't live too far away, it would be absolutely wonderful to meet you!

I'm trying to catch up with all your posts, by looking at ten a day ... the trouble is, more keep appearing!

Well, I'll love you and leave you, as my paintbrush is calling me ... (I have a fair this weekend too), and I hope you all have a wonderful week and that the sun shines on you ...

Much love, Claire xxx

PS: I've spelt Dotty's name wrong on the flyer ... I can't change it as Steve had to set up pjf, or jpd's or something or other, and I daren't ask him to do it all again!

Thursday 3 July 2014

Am I only dreaming?


Good morning, my lovelies!


This is where I'm writing to you from today ... and no, before you ask, I'm not on my jollydays although it does feel like it ...



Come on in ... kick off your shoes, and I'll give you a tour ...




Meet Dotty ... our new family member, and already much-loved ...


This is my favourite place to sit and watch the world go by ...


Room to relax ...


Another cosy corner ..


and Ruby, photobombing my pretty pictures! She's settled in very well, and I can often find her in here, getting away from it all ...


Time to put your feet up, and enjoy the ride (although we aren't going anywhere!) ...


Floral loveliness abounding ...


My treasures all fit in so effortlessly ...


And life really is just a bowl of cherries! 

This dream of mine, to have a caravan in the garden, has been harboured for ever ... ever since I was a little girl and used to visit a family friend's caravan by the sea.  A bolt hole, somewhere to think and dream, to be creative or just simply to laze about in, doing nothing. Somewhere that is home, but not in the house ... but not properly outside either. 

This dream has been made a reality by a lovely lady called Gillian. She remembered that about a year ago, I had been enquiring on Facebook if anyone had an old caravan I could buy, for a project in the garden.  I wasn't lucky as the replies were all too expensive, too big, or just not what I was looking for.  When passing a possible candidate parked at the roadside, I would screech to a halt, leap out and look for phone numbers, but it was never to be.  Until now, and I'm so, so glad that I waited! Gillian contacted me, saying she was selling her caravan and would I like to look at it.  She mentioned it was green with white spots, and decorated in Cath Kidston style.  All I can say is Gillian is not prone to exaggeration and I was flabbergasted when I saw Dotty for the first time, and when  the door was opened I was in seventh heaven! Steve took down the measurements and we then had to come home and measure the space we had available.  I knew that if she didn't fit through the gates that was the end of it ... with about 6 inches to spare on each side, Dotty was eased into position on our drive on Sunday evening.  We are busy removing raised beds on the veggie plot to finally position her as we can't get through our front door with ease any more!

Everyone who comes to see Dotty says "you've been busy, when did you get her"? and can't believe that she was already like this ... she is just perfect for my taste ... I had even painted a little step stool green with white spots only last week ... and my cushions match the roller blinds! I have been introducing small items, but can't go mad as yet, as Dotty has to be moved, so I will only have to empty her again.  There is loads of storage but I am determined that she doesn't become like my craft room ... too full to open the door! My craft room can now be tidied and sorted as my old Singer can now reside in Dotty ... a perfect place to sit and sew ...



Dreams can come true ... and thank you so much Gillian for making mine happen ... I know we are going to have many, many happy years with Dotty! 

Love, Claire xxx

PS: Thank you all for your lovely greetings and comments on Tuesday! We had a wonderful day with family and friends and the sun shone, so it was just perfect ... thanks again xxx



Tuesday 1 July 2014

Third finger, left hand ...

To Steve xxx

25 years ago today I married the kindest, most selfless man in the world. We look so young in this picture, and totally unaware of what lay ahead of us.


Since then we've experienced life ups and downs; joy, happiness, tragedy, comedy, excitement and grief ... I wouldn't change a thing about this journey, because it's brought us to where we are today, and there is nowhere else I want to be than by his side.


Tonight we will celebrate together with a meal at a local restaurant and then on Friday our children are treating us to an evening celebration at the place where we had our wedding reception all those years ago.  Feeling well and truly blessed.

Love, Claire