Saturday 18 July 2009

The ancient stannary town of Tavistock!



Today, we drove over the moors to Tavistock, which is quite a quaint place to go for a wander around...but not in the rain!
And so, it was a quick scoot around outside, where I found...


In Tavi there is a fab indoor market, (which I have to say is heaps better than Newton Abbot indoor market!)
Lots of vintage/bric a brac /junk/shabby/French etc etc




Plenty of flowers and plants...


A good variety, that's for sure!

Even a knitted Christmas scene! Hmmm!
I vow to return soon as there were plenty of charity shops in Tavi as well!
We drove back to Dartmeet, consumed the best Devon Cream tea EVER at Badger's Holt ... but had a real good excuse for doing so as we'd had no lunch...!;-)
BTW I had to curb my spending today as I bought something pretty bloomin' gorgeous in the week...so watch this space!
;-)

Thursday 16 July 2009

Book Snippets ;-)

Going on holiday this year? No?
Well , believe me, you can! And it won't cost you that much.
You can do what I did very recently.
In fact, in truth, I've taken this holiday a few times and I never get bored with it. I love it so much that I keep returning for more, time and time again.
You see, about two weeks ago, I started my holiday in Dulwich and I journeyed to Bognor.
But I was not alone, I had company. The company of a family called Stevens.
Oh... I had such a fine fortnight! (But in July, not September!)
A simple fortnight.
Nothing untoward happened. Indeed there were no big dramas.
It reminded me of my very early childhood holidays or trips to the 'seaside'.
Do you know, my recent 'holiday' was a holiday which brought tears to my eyes.

Pure simplicity.
The author said :
'I wanted to write about simple,uncomplicated people doing normal things'
The Fortnight in September by R.C.Sherriff.

This is the past, preserved for us in the form of one of the most wonderful books that I have ever read.
There is just something about this book and I can only deduce that it must be the fact that it is so unique in its ordinariness. I love it!
Simple and uncomplicated ....(you could say tis a bit like me!)
As is...
Talking of simplicity, I won this one for a snip , having looked out for it for a while...all good things come to those who wait!

I've had books on my mind this week as it's my mum's 84th birthday on Saturday!
She loves to read and so I always look out for a variety of reading material for her.
Here's a glimpse of what she will be getting..I hope she enjoys them! I have tried to vary my choices... as she likes to vary her reading!

Finally, Newton Abbot has many charity shops but the one which I love is the one where I do believe they make a big effort when it comes to display.

It's the Oxfam bookshop in Market Walk.

They do lovely vintage displays... and change them frequently.

So...gold star to them... ''well done!!'' ;-)
These caught my eye as I passed by the shop, yesterday.





Tuesday 14 July 2009

French pleasures! ;-)

I seem to have a bit of a 'French flavour' in the craft room at the mo...which
also coincides with the arrival of one or two new readers, from France! ;-)
A few months ago, I found these lovely table mats on one of my favourite sites, Vintage Home, and I knew that they would fit perfectly in my kitchen.
I just love the colour red in a kitchen!
The pot stand was an ebay find, many moons ago.


And as you can see, I've been playing with a little of the gorgeous French vintage linen fabric with the floral 'seed packet' designs.
For sale here:

http://florasdoodle.blogspot.com/



And making a few bits for the next V&H Fair!

Devon is far from sunny at the mo and so there's no better place to be than in the craft room...
with a few colourful goodies to cheer me up! ;-)
Hope your week is going well!
à bientôt!
;-)

Sunday 12 July 2009

Dartington Delights !

If you happen to be in the South Devon area this summer, Dartington , which is only a stone's throw from Totnes, is well worth a visit, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, you can visit the lovely Dartington Hall .
This is where the fabulous Literature Festival, 'Ways With Words' is held, each year.

I've been to this event quite a few times in the past... and thoroughly enjoyed many of the talks.
It's always been a dream of mine to stay here for a week , in a room overlooking the courtyard! Bliss! ;-)



Secondly , you can treat yourself to a wander around the beautiful Dartington Hall gardens



And then there is the Dartington Cider Press Centre!


Which is where we spent a leisurely hour or so, this morning.
There are a variety of shops here:
My particular favourite being 'Outside In '.




There's a book shop (above) and
a toy shop (below)


Plus various other delights...crafts, kitchen shop,foods etc

And then the best bit...
Cranks!!
;-)
Cranks began in Carnaby Street in the 60s...you can read all about it here:


I've always been a Cranks fan...got the book and love it!

Here's the cheese scone recipe for you:
1lb Wholemeal Flour
2 tbsp Baking Powder
pinch salt
pinch Cayenne Pepper
2oz butter or marg
10 oz grated Cheddar cheese
approx half a pint of milk
1. Put flour,baking powder,salt and cayenne in bowl.
2. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembes fine breadcrumbs.
3. Stir in 8 oz of the cheese
4. Stir in sufficient of the milk to give a soft,manageable dough
5. Knead gently and then roll out to a one inch thickness.
6. Cut out with a 3 inch fluted cutter (or similar)
7.Brush with milk and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
8.Bake at 400 F/Mark 6 / 200 C for about 20 mins.
Makes about 15 scones...or 14 if you want to try one before offering them elsewhere!
(And their Bara Brith is not bad either!)
Happy Baking!
;-)