OH, WHAT A NIGHT!!

Firstly I'd like to thank all my lovely followers and readers for your lovely greetings on my last post ... I do love all your comments, they mean a lot to me!

I've got a bit of a mixed bag for you today, but if I don't show you what I've been up to, I tend to lose the photos, or just not use them, and the reason I blog is because I don't keep a diary or journal, so this is my way of remembering what I've done and when.

On Sunday morning (my Wedding Anniversary) I treated my husband to breakfast in bed, (he was off work on Monday, so we spent the day together then!) then went to a local marine museum where they were holding a vintage fair.

It is the pop-up one which I normally attend, but as I was busy and had prior engagements, sadly couldn't have a stall.  I FORGOT MY CAMERA!!! It was lovely, but I will try and get back to the museum as they are holding a 50's exhibition, which was very nostalgic.

In the afternoon, after watching the local carnival, which passes my house, I met my little sister and we went on a coach trip to Manchester ...

Not a great picture, but liked these windmills, more picturesque than the ones in our town!

Town was very busy, as crowds were gathering to watch the Euro final on the big screen.  We had a meal and a drink nearby, in a big gazebo called the Summer Bar and Kitchen ... I meant to take a photo of my meal, but was so hungry didn't remember until too late! Then a leisurely stroll to Manchester Arena to see ...

Ooh, it was fabulous! Frankie apparently is 78 years old, but you'd never have guessed ... he performed for over 2 hours with the Four Seasons, they are to the left of the photo and have weathered really well, and none of them looked over 25!

Am getting a bit technical, and have even videoed it for you ... hope it works!

Walk Like a Man ...

Big Girls Don't Cry ...

and Rag Doll ... sorry didn't get to record December '63 as was on my feet making a show of myself!

Had a lovely evening with my sister, and got home just after midnight, so wasn't too bad!

Just been to Aldi to do my food shop, and the range of flowers were amazing today! I always buy my weekly flowers from Aldi as I find that they last really well and are a fraction of the price you'd pay in a florist.  Today I got a large bunch of Nigella (Love in a Mist) ... I love their ethereal, feathery beauty and like them just on their own, but I had so many that I thought I'd team the rest up with these gorgeous Aliums.  I like the way this photo's turned out ... it wasn't anything I did though, it was an accident ... wish they all looked like that!

Wishing you all a week of randomness too!

Love, Claire xxx

Just Blew in from the Windy City ...

Hello everyone! Just got back from my little break with my best friends to Lanzarote.  Have had a fabulous time just relaxing, sunning ourselves, and laughing a lot ... and have come back home to glorious sunshine! The weather in Lanzarote was a bit hit and miss, either bright, blistering sunshine or a bit dull and cloudy, but always windy ... I'm still finding grains of sand in everything ... my camera, my sunglasses, phone and in my washbag which is a bit strange!

The beach was just across the road from the hotel, so no trekking for miles to find a place in the sun, and was a really lovely, golden sandy beach, unusual for the Canary Islands.

Our hotel was really lovely, and the food was amazing, so am strictly on salads for a few days now ... I lost quite a bit of weight for my holiday, it's taken me 4 months ... and feels like It's all gone back on again in 4 days! Never mind, it was worth it ...

That's me in the middle at the back with the white beads on ... all ready for a night on the town ... we found a great American Indian bar, where we had a meal, and were about to leave, but then the band came on and we stayed all night.  They were an Irish band, so sang some traditional Irish songs, a bit of Van Morrison, Dire Straits, U2, Bon Jovi, everything really, and absolutely brilliant.

Back to reality now ... need to get everything ready for Vintage Fair on 3 June, and need a few hours to catch up on all the blogs I've missed while I've been away.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend, and enjoy your week

Love, Claire xxx

Hello, have had a very busy time lately, and have neglected you a little bit ...

I had a birthday

Lots of lovely cards,

Loads of flowers ... and beautiful gifts.  My friends and family know me so well, and my presents reflected this ... Euros from my eldest son and sister, for my upcoming holiday with friends, books, a beautiful handmade cake stand (from Maria at Rosey Tinted Spectacles), soap, ribbon for crafting, manicure voucher, lipglosses from my gorgeous girl, heart-shaped coasters (I love hearts, in case you hadn't noticed!), vouchers and lots and lots of flowers from family and friends, particularly loved the tulips from sons number 2 & 3.  My big present from my lovely husband was a weekend in Blackpool with my little sister, which I'll tell you about in a little while.

The day after my birthday, Maria and I went to Ulverston, a lovely little market town not very far away.  She very kindly treated me to afternoon tea at The Mad Hatter's tearooms.

This is a gorgeous little cafe, very quirky and unusual, with amazing food served in intriguing surroundings

Delicious cakes ...

and afternoon tea, served on cake stands with delightful mismatched china

Ulverston is a lovely little town, that has retained its charm and history, and there are lots of little shops and cafes, a street market and quite a few charity shops which give me my thrifting fix, every now and again!

But the highlight of my birthday week was my weekend away with my lovely little sister, Helen.  We set off bright and early on Saturday morning, did a little bit of shopping, particularly in Primark for the lovely vintage style tea towels which have a hint of Cath Kidston and Pip's Studio (more of which later, I plan to reveal them, when I've spring cleaned my kitchen) and the shopping list from our teenage daughters.  A quick visit to T K Maxx, where I bought some baking bits and a lovely little jug (I have so many, one more won't make a difference, surely?), back to the hotel for a quick change before dinner at a lovely Chinese Restaurant and then off to the Winter Gardens ... such a beautiful building, very art deco ...

Romance ...

and the concert began ...

Definitely one to watch, Jay James Picton, a very talented young man (you saw him here first!) followed by the amazing Rebecca Ferguson ...

Was really impressed as unlike most new 'stars' I don't think she did any covers, these are usually used to pad out their own songs, but not only did she sing them, she'd also written them ... don't know about you, but too good for X Factor! Really hope she doesn't change, she was sort of shy and a bit humble, with that amazing, powerful voice.  She'll go far, reminds me of a young Aretha Franklin x

Blackpool, by night ...

and next day, grey and blustery, quick walk along prom,

and then home, to Sunday Dinner cooked by my lovely husband ... perfect end to perfect birthday weekend! Thank-you everyone xxx

Before I go, let me just share these images with you ... 2 weeks ago went for walk with my husband, and Ruby, the mad Patterdale, to Furness Abbey

the jewel in the crown of my home town

snowdrops everywhere,

but when I returned 2 days ago, with Ruby and Son No 2, they'd all disappeared ... fleeting beauty, making way for the bluebells yet to come.  Spring's definitely on the way ... have a lovely weekend! xxxx