Grandson number 3's birthday bash

Grandson number 3 turned 7 last week and on Wednesday we had a get-together with all four grandsons here for lunch/tea and, of course, the birthday cake.

He had asked me for a chocolate sponge with chocolate buttercream filling, so this is the result.  As you can see, it also has jelly bears and giant chocolate drops too!  They loved it and had two slices each!!!  That surprised me.  It did taste good though, although I say it myself. 

There was much playing in a camp upstairs with socks off and then in the garden, using pipework and watering cans, to water the plants in pots.  I think they enjoyed themselves.

Stratocasters

This is what the inside of our shed looks like at the moment.  Just thought you might like to see.

Last Friday Citilink delivered a brand new Japanese-made Fender Stratocaster in fiesta red (left-handed, of course) to my darling other half.  He had been so excited about it and couldn't wait to try it out.Excitement was short-lived, unfortunately, as it wasn't up to expectations!  It even looked different in several ways from the pictures the vendor had up in his on-line shop.    

                                                                                                                                                                        The reason for buying a new one was to improve the quality of sound from the top string, which, on his old, black, American-made guitar, seemed a bit thin.  On this new one the sound was even thinner!!!  So it has to go back.  Looking up the serial number on the neck of this guitar we find that it isn't even a newly-built instrument, but was made between 2000 and 2002!!  No wonder the strings and some of the chromium bits look a bit rusty!  I think it must have been hanging around in the warehouse for a few years not, as the man-in-my-life had been told, just come in.  So we are now awaiting the courier to return tomorrow to pick it up and take it back to Edinburgh.  Sad.  

We even went to Guitar Village in Farnham last Friday afternoon to see what they had to offer in left-handed Strats.  There seems to be one which boosts the volume and sound quality but it is hard to find in a left-handed version.  It is model S1 HSS and it has a Humbucker pick-up on the bridge and so boosts the sound.  They did say they would ring us on Monday to give us a price but so far we have had no call. 

 Anyway, here is a photograph of three Strats together.  The real red one is my brain-box son's, the black one is loved by the one and only m-i-m-l and the sort of coral pink is the new re-issue '57 one which is useless.

A Great Weekend at Center Parcs - Longleat

Last Friday the lovely man in my life and I picked up grandson number 2 from school and drove on to Longleat. It didn't take long to get there and for the last few minutes we drove through thick snow before we joined a queue of cars waiting to check in. The fir trees looked quite exquisite as their branches became covered in huge snowflakes.



It was very difficult finding our villa trying to avoid all the people who were walking all over the roads holding umbrellas over their heads and not looking where they were going. We couldn't see the signs as they were covered by falling snow and the roads were steep and slippery. But we got there in the end.

Villa 907 was in a good position half way between the Plaza and the village square so it was fairly easy to get to the main places quickly. The door you can see in the picture was our front entrance. We had a lovely view through the huge redwoods.



The grandsons, son and daughter-in-law went swimming twice a day and they loved it. We all enjoyed the jazz brunch and helped ourselves to lots of lovely things to eat. I only wish we had been able to do what I saw many others doing, that is, eat a big, cooked breakfast and then, a little later, continue with a cooked lunch with puddings and endless drinks! There was a great and extensive climbing play area which was hugely enjoyed by the younger members of our group.



We were greatly excited by the falconer who entertained us for an hour in the freezing cold, rainy Sunday evening in the middle of dark woods sitting inside a wooden shelter. He showed us several owls and flew them, although not for long in the rain as it is not easy to fly when your wing feathers are wet! We all enjoyed his talk and the children were riveted to the antics of the owls. The high point was when all the children held out their gloved hands and Eddie, the tiny owl, flew from one to the other all along the line. Grandson number 4 was so excited he couldn't keep still and wanted to ask lots of questions.

Darling husband was very proud to be picked by the falconer to help - even though he looked a little startling in his hat pulled down over his head. I think he had one of the longest helping jobs of the whole session and he did it beautifully.


We were all exhausted when Monday morning dawned and yet the swimming party still braved the Rapids after their delicious breakfast in Cafe Rouge. I'm ashamed to say the my lovely m-i-m-l and I just spent the time sitting watching the new guests arrive.

Surprise present

On Saturday the ever-lovely man in my life gave me a belated Christmas present.   It was a cardboard box with a handle.  When I opened it I was so surprised I couldn't speak.  It was a Macbook laptop computer!!!!   Wow! And wow! again!  I have always dreamt of owning a laptop and I must say I do fancy the apples - ever since I first put my fingers on a Mac keyboard many moons ago when dreary old, stick-in-the-mud teachers were pushed into the new, technological age of computers.  I loved dragging the icons across the screen to move them about and especially to dump them in the wastepaper basket.

Well, I now own one!  I feel a bit frightened of it though.  I really do not know how to put things onto the screen so that I can use them later.  I suppose it's because I have never needed to (lovely man-in-my-life again).   Anyway, my super duper brain box son (who knows everything there is to know about apples), was really great and sorted it out to get it up and running.  Then, his fantastically organised and clever wife offered to put things onto the desktop and show me how to operate the things I want.  They have both spent hours helping me and I am eternally grateful.   Thank you both.  I know I shall still need more help in the future, so don't go away, please.                                                                                                                                

Of course, my lovely m-i-m-l has shown and guided me through everything too.  He is still getting acquainted with apples though after a lifetime of PCs - which he's crazy about.  How kind it was of him to get me something which is more difficult for him to use.                                                                                                      

If I find out how to get pics onto this site from my new computer I shall add some asap.

Christmas this and that

Just thought I'd post a brilliant card which one of my grandsons gave us. I believe that it captures the essence of Christmas. He was so pleased with the result he couldn't wait to see our faces when we opened it.

My daughter and family gave me a lovely lampwork focal bead pendant which she had made and silver chain. I think it's beautiful and shows her considerable skill. The photograph has been taken indoors and under tungsten lighting so it isn't true to its colours but I wanted to show it.

These are the covers of DVDs which the man in my life was given for Christmas. As you can see he is more than a little interested in Astronomy and has recently spent several freezing evenings nipping outside with the telescope trying to capture images of Mars. Apparently the lens has become misted over and the images have been blurry but he is hoping to overcome this obstacle. Watch this space!!!

He also acquired a slide guitar which he is finding more of a challenge than he expected. This Michael Messer DVD may help but unfortunately it appears to be scratched so we have to 'have a chat' to the supplier tomorrow!

Christmas 2007

I've just had two lovely days with my family. I think it would be very lonely if I didn't have children and grandchildren to enjoy. Everyone has been so kind and generous with their time and thoughtful presents - we have so many I feel quite embarrassed. Thank you everyone.

We had two grandsons here for Christmas dinner yesterday and everyone had a great time opening presents. The tree looked healthy after a year outside and we didn't overdo the decorations and weigh it down too much. I have put up a picture of the tree and another of the puddings which the grandsons had.

Today we went to see the other two grandsons and had another great time opening more presents! We don't really deserve all this love and attention. The silver pendant was made by grandson number 1 and he had a little bit of help from Mummy. It's really beautifully made and I love the design!

This old English yew turned bowl is quite amazing with all the imperfections of natural wood. When you hold it you HAVE to stroke it - it's so soft and smooth. Thank you for this lovely present.

The pair of earrings below are a present from my lovely best man. They match exactly the bracelet which he gave me a little while ago. I love them.

Christmas Fair

On Saturday I took dizzydesigns' beautiful handmade beads and jewellery to the fair at Overton. It took ages to set up but I had a good spot and the table was lovely and big. I was next to an amateur artist from Kingsclere who had some great water colours of boats old and new.

It was raining though - you may remember that it was forecast as being a really bad day weather-wise. It was also rather cold. The venue was lovely and the caretaking staff and tea makers were so helpful and friendly. But the public stayed away.

Well, some ventured out and dripped into the hall. Those who came were chatty and happy to wander around in the warm. I did sell several items but nowhere near as much as I'd hoped.

A shame, as the lampwork beads really sparkled.

Next to me was, Raspberry, my daughter-in-law with her gorgeous array of corsages and really fab handmade bags! Those who appreciated quality realised that they were beautifully made and finished off. The picture above shows her table. The bags are all unique and show her expert skills in needlework and design.

On the table you can also see some superb photographs taken by my hugely talented son. I am very proud of him and his works of art. I love every one.

I think I did pretty well on the whole considering the quiet pace. I'm sure another time, and with better weather I would do very well.

Thank you Overton for your warm welcome and also to those who came to have a look. I'll be back, I hope, next year!