Dad - the Arctic Star

This is Dad! or Grandad Stan to my daughters and grandchildren.  He's 88 and coming to live with me very soon and I can't wait.  Lots of people have said how difficult it will be - but I just don't believe them, he's perennially cheerful!  Among other things  I need to get back to cooking proper meals and Dad being here will make me do it!  

This picture was taken a couple of months ago when he got he Arctic Star, 12 crossings on the North Atlantic convoys !  We never heard him talk much about the war until he got his medal and then we were amazed at what he'd done!

We've already booked for a December trip to Center Parcs with the kids - he hasn't had a holiday for a while because he's been looking after his other half.  He's looking forward to getting in the pool.  Hope I'm like him when I'm 88, hope I get to 88 ........

Wet and Windy in Morecambe

You know when I started doing this blog - I thought it would be easy to do a couple of posts a week - Ha!  Its now 10 days since the last one - all sorts of garbage got in the way and some good things as well!

One of the good things was on Sunday we ( youngest daughter and I ) went to the vintage fair in Morecambe.  I freaked out on the Friday before because I read that North Western coastal towns would be hit by 70 mph gales on the Sunday and there would be structural damage.... not too keen on driving anyway... so had a bit of a panic on.  As it happened I got there OK before the weather took a really bad turn, met the daughter (Rachel), who came up from Preston and we got the stuff into the venue before it poured!  It did the cats and dogs while we were in there - but when we came out the sun was shining!  Sadly the weather had a bit of an impact on the number of people who turned up - but it gave us more chance to talk to people! and to be silly in the photo booth!

Other good things that have happened - Middle granddaughter started school and loves it! She's  so keen to get there it's upsetting, no time for the last minute cuddle..... but it's so much easier than if she didn't want to go.

The lovely little coat in one of the other posts has sold - I get attached to things - I could do a whole item on the things I really liked that I had to let go....but everytime something sells I cheer myself up by getting new stock in, retail therapy!!!

We've just started a Facebook page for the vintage stuff, of course Rachel set it up.   I am a complete imbecile on Facebook  I never know now whether I'm commenting as me or as my alter ego Edith and Rose - that's the problem with getting old, technology gets to be a mystery..... If I ever work out how to do it I'll put a link to Facebook on this site....

Duck Weather

At last - September brings the summer we are used to - rain!!!

Rain drops on telephone wires....

Duck's having fun....babies off their hands (wings)... having a get together

Muddy boots in kitchen and a good cup of tea!!!

Adorable!

Sometimes, while looking about for nice vintage items, you come across something absolutely adorable like this toddler's  Harris tweed coat from the 1950's, handwoven in the Outer Hebrides! 
I think I want to keep it - but common sense dictates it needs to go in the shop - shame......

Although it buttons both ways - don't you think it's more of a boys coat?- reminiscent of Prince Charles when he was little!

Quilting Group

 I've just got back from the quilting group meeting -  I haven't been doing this for very long. I've started a sampler quilt and I the idea was to have finished a block before the meeting comes around, but this month it didn't quite work out and I seem to be falling behind...
I love fabrics and I chose American Civil War designs which are a bit dark but remind me of cosy winter days in front of the fire.  Will be ready for winter 2014 if I don't get a move on.....
Here are some of the blocks I've finished.  Not sure what colour to use for sashing or borders, any ideas?

On the left is  Star Choice, on the right is Rolling Pinwheel - can you spot the mistake? I'll be unpicking it in a minute

This one is Tulip and at this moment it's my favourite, but Rolling Stone on the right - I haven't got enough contrast in the colours and it doesn't show up very well 

and these are the first two  I did, Streak of Lightning - easy squares and Rocky Road - first attempt at triangles....
Experienced quilters - any advice welcome.......

Little visitors

A lovely week has just gone by - no blogging because a selection of grandchildren came to stay.  They've gone back home now - so a bit quiet, but I do need a bit of sleep!

We did all sorts of  non electronic things

Like taking them round to bang on a friend's piano...

Exploring on Birkrigg Common - lots of lovely little paths in the bracken to disappear down

and running through the long grass, not to mention baking and painting and digging up potatoes

It's been a test of patience, for them, not me.....

They've had to cope with all grandma's films for kids being on video!  Waiting for rewind is sooo tedious

And only being able to get terrestrial TV!

Cooking from scratch so a long gap between I'm hungry (at 3 o'clock)  and tea

All toys are from 1980's (if not earlier) 

Only plain crisps available

We have to wait for the water to heat up for a bath

And considering all that they've still asked to come back!!

Morecambe Heritage Day

Well we're booked in for a stall at the Platform on the 15th September for Morecambe Heritage Day selling the vintage kids clothes. We've done fairs before and the ones run by the Vintage Village Hall are the best ones, lots of atmosphere, great vintage tea room and live music!
Quite relaxed about it at the moment but come the week before and I'll panic about everything left to do.  Am going with the youngest daughter and the eldest who has 3 small children will come along later to provide a crowd scene. The main difficulty is that it opens for stall holders at 8 am and starts at 10. Two hours seems like a long time to get sorted out  - but it certainly isn't when you're in the throes of it. ........
This one below is us setting up at the Dock Museum our last fair earlier this year- we had a great day and sold a lot - the one in the short skirt is my daughter!  I am cleverly hidden behind her - not keen on my photo being taken......

 The red thing at the back is part of the dock museum exhibit - a waterproof suit thing we weren't selling that!  We were under strict instructions not to touch the exhibit - unfortunately Rachel fell into it ....oops!