Definitely not the dreariest weekend of the year

On the radio I heard about tips to overcome the post festivities blues......here is now this weekend was brightened up!

Bought myself a nice bunch of yellow roses....but have made a note that from now on, to buy British Daffodils. Last year we saw the fields in the Isles of Scilly, and we really must support home grown flowers.

Discovered some hidden treasures in the freezer, whilst 'stock taking' and deciding where I am going to put the Seville Oranges which have appeared at the weekly fruit and veg market. So apart from roasting a big free range chicken, no other cooking required for the weekend.

Saturday morning, went out to Warwick with Mr S, and in the afternoon went to Leamington on my own, to page homage to the Sales Gods.....did not see anything I wanted, but roamed around, window shopping and popping into some of Leamington's independent stores, and getting myself little treats.

I DISCOVERED a lovely shop: Decorative Cloth of Leamington Spa, selling sewing things. Their reels of lace and ribbons are just gorgeous, and they have lovely rolls of natural fabrics, as well as lovely prints. It feels such an inviting place with all the things I've been looking for. I think I shall be visiting Leamington far more often from now on.

Mr S and I went on our first walk with a local rambling club, finishing off with a good Sunday Lunch. We had about the best weather since the cold weather started at the beginning of November. When we returned Mr S won the gold star of the week, by cleaning all the mud off the boots.....the gold star was awarded with a plate full of freshly baked scones for tea!

I found a wonderful Knit along on Ravelry, where I can learn some new techniques. The pattern designed by Ann Kingstone, has a clever design for a scarf, which pulls you along, like a good book.

Jenny enjoys the flowers in Leamington

If you have lived in a very hot and dry Country and then come back to somewhere green(ish), well this summer it has been pretty dry, the big wow factor must be some of the municipal displays. Here is what Leamington is looking like this month

Even one week one the Jepherson gardens are looking even better than when we took this picture. The parks department who also plant up the round about by Kenilworth clock comes up with different schemes each year.

Another Good Read

I'm pleased to have found an area of Kenilworth Library with a range of interesting books. Having enjoyed my Venetian Blues fix book, I read the follow on where Marlena moves to Tuscany. As well as the wonderful descriptions of the areas and her recipes, the author seems to capture and thoughtfully share with her readers the more sensitive and emotional sides of life.

Following on from that I've picked up another book, set in the area of France just across the Pyrenees from my sister Jenny. I am just getting into 'Happy Hour' by Patrice Chaplin. I am now getting to grips with the balustrade in the hallway, and am going to try using a brush on wax. I need to do a small test piece.

Last Thursday & Friday, I used several pints of elbow grease/wax and boiled linseed oil to revive my chests of drawers which were covered with rain spots. We had a severe thunder storm I think it was some time early last year, anyway it was in Swindon, we were out in the garden with Matthew and Veronica, and did not have time to rush inside to close the windows. I had really thought we would have to have them sent off to be reconditioned but at what cost....I had found out of course, and it was almost as much as getting some more from an antique shop!

Friday seemed to be one of those days, which just went so well. Work on the house, shopping etc went well, and then our evening out in Leamington was well above expectation. We went out to dinner to the Basement Restaurant and there was a good jazz ensemble: guitar, keyboard and vocalist. David had Fresh Sardines with sauce on toast, followed by gigot of lamb and veg, and orange crepes with chocolate and pecan nut sauce, I had red onion and blue cheese tartelette on a bed of mixed leaves to start with, main of freshest pan fried fillet of sea trout on the best pumpkin and Parmesan risotto I'd ever had, followed by a smooth creme brulee flavoured with Baileys. We'll definitely be going there again. The restaurant was full and the service and whole evening a delight.