Afternoon Tea....

one of those great British institutions , and , Sunday seems to lend itself more than any other day to this most pleasing of pastimes . Ok I have foregone the cucumber sandwiches , instead I baked some rather delicious lemon frosted cupcakes a rather guilty pleasure to be enjoyed at around 4.30 - why is the time important I am not sure but it just seems the " right " time . So feet up and happily munching whilst dipping delightfully into one of my favourite poetry books - it is a little battered now from so much reading but never ever fails to please . And as its a beautiful sunny afternoon with summer beckoning the flowers were just peeping over my fence asking to be photographed and displayed for all to see ...........

The Weather......

well as is commonly known the "British" have ( and always will I am sure ) a pre-occupation with the weather ! We discuss it daily , or sometimes with even greater frequency , will it rain ,do I need a coat - is it cold - windy shall I take a sweater and a brolly - just in case ! The permutations are endless , we watch long range weather forecasts to plan our weekends - then bemoan the fact the weather turns out absolutely nothing like predicted ! We discuss the weather with people we have never met - why - because we can and because it is so " jolly unpredictable " !
Secretly I wonder if I lived in the warm climes of my dreams would I miss being able to wake up and wonder ?
So the weather topic is currently providing news headlines - we are having on the third day of spring the most balmy of temperatures to rival Madrid to quote just one - and it is just glorious beautiful sunshine and the english countryside is awash with daffodils and yes ok a few dandelions !
So I feel Summer has arrived - just a the back of my mind, and probably a few others is the nagging doubt that this will be the first and last sun of the year - and yes I know they are talking hosepipe bans and drought already - I fear having heard all this before we could have a monsoon summer yet ! BUT undeterred - we enjoy and BBQ's pulled out and shorts ( not me yet my legs aren't up to it ) being donned for the weekend and maybe beyond - if you believe the weather forecast !
Pictures are of southern France - I love it.........And the sun shines - a lot !!!

Hockney

I watched a culture show programme last week on which David Hockney was being interviewed on his new exhibition . I will not go writing reams but just post a few pictures - which speak so much louder than words !

Random Thoughts and Pictures ...

well its Sunday again , where does the time go I ask myself . I love this time of day its around 6pm and the light is only just fading - Spring is just around the corner - snowdrops have appeared like magic overnight and the little white pearls are dotted in small clumps and great swathes across the fields and then you turn another corner and the vivid yellows and purples announce that the crocuses are ready to show their colours to the lengthening days , which means soon the blossom of the cherry will be ready to show off every hue imaginable of dusty pink to deep rose.

I took a walk and picked catkins and a few daffodils to bring a little of the approaching spring indoors to savour and then sitting watching the night draw in the moon came out and so I tried to capture the picture - the sight made me think of a song " Wishing on a Star" I first heard it by Rose Royce and then Paul Weller did a cover which I love
"I'm wishing on a star , To follow where you are , I'm wishing on a dream , To follow where you'll be ...........

New York , New York ..

so good they named it twice !! Well having just returned from a four day break in the " Big Apple " I echo the sentiments entirely .Just a little jet lagged at present but have had an absolute ball - everything delivered ... Empire state building with its fabulous art deco decor ( my favourite film in the world Affair To Remember - says it all ! ) then the Grand Central Station , Brooklyn Bridge , Statue of Liberty never ending really , Broadway not to be missed and ground zero too . If you have a bucket list then this just has to be on it !

" The glamour of it all ! New York , America " ....Charlie Chaplin

Today ...........

is a very special day because today is my nieces birthday . So I am writing this blog especially for her !!!

Birthday tradition means that a cake must be made which of course has candles on - you must make a silent wish and blow out the candles - if you blow them out in one breath your wish will be granted .The other tradition is presents and love and especially love as you get double on your birthday ... so have a fantastic day Megan

"May you live all the days of your life " Jonathon Swift ( He wrote Gullivers Travels)

Snow.............

a little snow has fallen this weekend enveloping us in its winter cloak and spreading a hushed silence to the air. So i have taken this as permission to spend a completely lazy weekend cocooned in the warmth indoors and have spent many pleasurable hours reading and watching old movies - my most favourite "Affair to Remember " being top of my play list - so in love with the dashing debonair Cary Grant, I know that George Clooney has been compared to him in some ways but Mr Grant will always win hands down .
One of the pictures is a little reminder that spring is not so far away ..............really !!


"Advice is like snow - the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon and the deeper it sinks into the mind "