Friday Block Party

This week's block, Hearth and Home, was nice and straightforward, although I couldn't make up my mind what colour combination to go for. In the end I found a bag of two and a half inch scraps left over from another project which worked a treat. I enjoyed using the white on white printed fabric and it sews nicely too.

Ros

I asked God for strength,
that I might achieve,
I was made weak to humbly obey.

I asked for health,
that I might
do greater things,
I was given infirmity
that I might
do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy,
I was given poverty,
that I might be wise.

I asked for power,
that I might have
the praise of men,
I was given weakness,
that I might feel
the need of God.

I asked for all things,
that I might enjoy life,
I was given life,
that I might
enjoy all things.

I got nothing
that I asked for -
but everything
I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself,
my unspoken prayers
were answered.

I am among all men
most richly blessed.

Author Unknown

Off to Summer's Cool

We've just said goodbye to Tim for a whole week. He has gone to 'Summer's Cool' in Worcestershire for a music camp. You can see that Sophie is going to miss him! (Notice how he's overtaken her in height!

Fifty young people from all over the country spend the week playing the most marvellous music and having lots of outdoor fun. Orchestras, string ensembles, windbands, singing and then swimming, table tennis, larking around and good food is the order of the day.

On Friday we will collect him and be treated to a wonderful concert, followed by tea in the headmaster's garden!!

This year is the 25th anniversary of 'Summer's Cool' and past students are invited for the last day to take part in the orchestra and singing, so Sophie will be joining them (she went from 1999 to 2004). The event is run by a very dedicated family who are all music teachers (husband and wife and their two daughters) and the same lovely staff who come back year after year because they enjoy it so much.



This is where he is staying! It is normally a boarding school but they are lucky enough to be able to use these facilities. There are acres and acres of gardens and it's perched high on wonderful rolling hills.



If you have the energy to climb up the clock tower you can see five counties from the top.

Click here for last year's photos.

Have a lovely week Tim!!

Friday Block Party

Mrs Morgan's Choice - Week 29. Does this look like the blades of a windmill to you?

I enjoyed making this block. There were a lot of small pieces (2" squares) so concentration was required! I used a lovely blue batik with an ivory background. The batik certainly helped keep it flat while I was making it.

Ros



Father, I know the most important reality of my life is that you love me and that you look at me this moment with such tenderness and love as no one ever could; I am your only child.

You desire to forgive me and to heal me where I want healing so that this day will be a brand-new beginning with "a future full of hope".

Whatever I have to face today, one thing I know, is that you will be there with me as my best friend, helping, consoling, strengthening, healing and guiding me.

There is absolutely nothing I have to be afraid of. All this I know because your Son told us so.

Tea Tasting

Sophie is moving into her new flat in Bristol for her last year of uni (where have the last two years gone to?!) She has a wonderful 'garden' flat only 10 minutes from the music department. One of the first essential items to go into the car was this bag - full of tea! I thought you'd like to see her delicious collection of teas!

Here is the Twinings Collection

Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, Celon,
Darjeeling, Keemun, Rose and Chai

Speciality Collection
Golden Sunshine (white peony, elderflower & marigold),
Temptation (chocolate chips & coconut flakes)

Chai Collection

Aromatic and Fruit Collection
Fennel, Blueberry, Rose, Jasmine

Japanese, Rose and Chocolate

Which is your favourite?
Actually, Sophie mine isn't there!
Shall I bring the Peppermint when I next visit!!

Friday Block Party

This was my block from last week's Block Party. It is named Envelope Motif (not sure why?)

This block started out being enjoyable, but I was soon disappointed at how much wastage there was (loads of little triangles) once I had cut it up. Idid think I had enough of the dark red but discovered very quickly that I hadn't. So, cutting a long story very short, I trimmed it down until I had enough fabric to fit. My finished block was only 9 1/2" instead of the 12 1/2". And my points were lousy. If I made this one again I would definitely use a different set of instructions. However, that is my fifth block finished and all I have used is scraps. So that's something for nothing in my book.

Ros

National Trust at Cliveden

This was a glorious day (my birthday), Mike and I went to Cliveden, for a walk around the grounds (acres and acres of them). We had lunch in the Orangery (huge Victorian conservatory where exotic plants were grown in days of old) and spent all afternoon just strolling. My favourite places are the Japanese Garden and the Parterre where the views stretch to the horizon. You can see Windsor Castle in one direction and Marlow in the other. Walking down (several hundred!) steps takes you down to the River Thames - but don't forget you have to walk up again afterwards!!

The property is owned by the National Trust so is open for anyone to visit. The house is run as an hotel so if you are feeling very rich and decadent you can have afternoon tea in the drawing room (I haven't managed that yet).

This is my most favourite place ever and its only a half hour drive from where I live! Below is a slide show of the day for you to enjoy. Click on lower left hand corner for commentary if you like.

Ros

Friday Block Party

This blog I joined a little late, having only just found it a couple of weeks ago. See the sidebar button. I'm not planning to catch up on the 20 or so which I have missed, just a few which I particularly like. Above is Starflower (week 22) which was fun to make, quite quick too.



This is Z Cross (week 26). A bit of concentration needed to get the triangles in the right places, but quite easy and enjoyable.


And this week's block Windmill 2 (week 27). I even managed to get all those central seams to match up first time!!

So that's 4 blocks towards my sampler quilt.

Ros

Friendship Block Swap

This month is it Cath's turn to receive the Friendship Blocks. She has asked for "strong bright colours, patterns or plain". I do hope she will like this.

Ros

Feast of St Peter

We had the most glorious English summer day for our Feast of St Peter this last weekend. Our village is named after this very special saint (Chalfont St Peter). The weather was beautiful so people came in droves. There was something for everyone, young and not-so-young!

For those with a very sweet-tooth.
(yumm, that's me!)

My Brazilian friends and I set up a stall selling cakes, special Brazilian drink (Guarana Antartica), Brazilian manioc biscuits (savoury snack) and we had a log cabin quilt to raffle (which you can just see at the back in the shadow). You can just about see Sophie and I if you look really hard.


There was a vintage car show with some real beauties - I'm not a car enthusiast but these were really special!

This one was pretty old!

This one's a long way from home!

I love VW camper vans!

A London bus owned by HOPE charity.

Our local greengrocers were selling delicious fruit (including English strawberries).

There were over 60 stalls to choose from.

Including a beer tent and a spit roast.

There was entertainment all day from local drama groups, singers, African drumming and medieval musicians.

At the end of the afternoon we drew the winning number for the quilt. Left to right that's Gisella in the blue, Tim (you already know his cheeky grin) with the winning number 15 and Ivonne with the Brazilian football shirt.



This is Frances, who was lucky enough to win the quilt. She was thrilled. As all the tickets were sold locally I just hopped in the car and delivered it that evening. (this photo was taken on my mobile so a little fuzzy).


While we were packing up from the very long day (5pm) it started to rain so we quickly got everything in the car. Then wosh! The heavens opened and there was the most amazing downpour which lasted a couple of hours.

It stopped just in time for the Abba tribute band in the evening and was amazingly dry too.

We all had a lovely day, but so pleased to fall into bed that night exhauted to the bone.

Ros

Garden flowers

Here are some beautiful flower photos from my garden.

Fuchsias in a hanging basket by my front door.

This hebe was attracting lots of bees.

A large flowering hebe.
This plant has been here as long as the house (50+ years).

Hardy geranium.

White lace hydrangea.

I love this rose!

Fantastic peony.

Another hardy geranium.

Fuchsia in a pot.