The simple pleasures

Thank you all so much for your kind words, prayers and good wishes for Larry. He doesn't appear to be walking as awkwardly as before. We are not sure if it is because of the antibiotics he is taking for the bladder infection he also has. We are still waiting to hear when he can have the MRI scan.

When I began blogging recently, I thought of it as an exchange of ideas, pictures, crafts etc.. I had not expected the support and friendship that I have received over the past couple of months since starting my blog. I have been amazed and at times overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness. I thank you all for that!

This morning, I decided to pop in to the Women's Institute Market in Frome before doing some shopping in Sainsbury. I enjoy the W.I. markets, I get a lot of pleasure buying things which are home grown & homemade. So much more enjoyable than supermarket shopping! I bought a plant, a little bunch of Lily of the Valley (the ones in our garden are not quite ready yet), some duck eggs and a homemade Somerset Apple cake.

I really like the flavour of duck eggs. The tablecloth in the background is one of my favourites, I love the embroidery and the freshness of the pale pink background.

The Somerset apple cake had to be sampled as soon as I returned from my shopping trip... :o)

It was delicious! It was moist and with generous pieces of apple. It was hard not to to have more but I have to leave some for Alan! Not Phoebe's sort of cake, she isn't too keen on pieces of fruit in a cake.

I have started catching up with some blogging so expect a visit from me soon...

Just a little reminder that I am doing a poll on painting furniture in the right hand column.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Candy stripes and Worried about Larry...

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all the lovely comments that you left on my previous post. I am sorry that I have not responded to some of you yet. There is a lot going on at the moment and I will eventually catch up with blogs and emails.

My parents left today after having visited for a couple of weeks. It was lovely seeing them again and to spend some time together as we only see each other 3 or 4 times a year. They brought over some fantastic vintage things. It didn't stop there, whilst browsing at a boot fair on Sunday, they found some other lovely things that they knew I would like such as vintage unused candy striped sheets & pillowcases. They are getting harder to find but I always look out for those.

Old price label is on the sheets! 17 Shillings and 11d (For overseas visitors, this is in old money)

They are so crisp and clean! The colours are so pretty.

Last week Larry started walking in a strange way, his back legs were weak. I took him to the vet the next day, they weren't sure what was wrong as he didn't want to walk around to demonstrate his walk. I had to film him at home and return with the film footage. Unfortunately due to an emergency operation at the vet, no one could see the film footage that afternoon (Friday). On Saturday his front legs appeared to be affected too.

Today I took Larry to the vet again. The vet looked at the film footage. They carried out full blood count & urine tests. The blood test came up clear but white blood cells showed up in the urine sample. I have been advised that Larry ought to have a MRI scan as there could be a problem with his brain or spine. He is such a lovely cat. I can't believe he is having problems at such a young age.

In July 2008 our 15 year old ginger cat called Pixie had to be put to sleep. He became ill and his condition deteriorated rapidly. We were all so very sad. Alan & I were not in a hurry to get another cat as we were still missing him but Phoebe was missing the company. In January this year we decided to adopt 2 kittens knowing how much pleasure Phoebe would get from them and to help her move on from Pixie's death. Pixie is still greatly missed.

Pixie

Lilly and Larry have brought us a lot of pleasure since January, they are so affectionate and giving.

I have to admit that I dread the results of the MRI scan...as the vet implied that it's not usually good when it is brain or spine related. I am a positive person but I can't help but worry about what the outcome will be especially as Phoebe loves him to bits, so do Alan & I.

Although I do pray every day, I have been praying a lot more in these past few days. If you have a spare minute, could you include Larry in your prayers please? I know that there are so many other important things to pray for in the world but it helps knowing that others are thinking of him. Thank you.

On a lighter note, Phoebe was a little ray of sunshine tonight. I went outside to call her back in for bedtime and to take a photo of the sunset. I found her picking flowers. She stood up gave me the flowers and said "Mummy I love you, I picked these for you". It was just what I needed today after a day of worrying about Larry.

The pretty posy of flowers is by my bedside now.

I am doing a little survey in right hand column on painting furniture. Feel free to tick what applies to you! Thank you.

I love this light at the end of the day. Picture taken tonight from our front garden.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

French Monogrammed Linens, Trims and A Boot Fair

I love this tin which my Mother has given me, the colours are so beautiful and the design, gorgeous.

Hello everyone! I have been a bit quiet on the blogging front. I am not borred with it already, far from it! My parents are visiting for a couple of weeks and I naturally wish to spend some time with them, so blogging has taken a bit of a back seat for now. However, I will still be checking my comments from time to time so please leave one if you wish as it will get read.

I look forward to catching up with your lovely blogs very soon! :0)

My Mother arrived with a selection of French treasures for me! She knows that I love vintage things. This a selection of what she brought over with her....It was wonderful, bag after bag of beautiful things, it was as if a vintage stall had turned up at my house!

A selection of lace collars and beneath them, a beautiful roses & ribbons table runner that my Grandmother Gabrielle & My Aunt Suzy made together around 50 years ago.

I admire the work that went in to making these! What a pity no one really bothers doing that with their linen anymore. Well, there might be handful out there but it is a minority.

Pure silk thread, I love the sheen and feel of it.

Countless amounts of buttons, a lot of them glass.

On Sunday I did another boot fair as we still have so much to get rid of. Whilst I was there, I had to look around for some must haves...

I love this little vintage child's beret and little red shoes

Beneath the shoes and Beret is one of my favourite rugs. It is a Capel Rug bought from the The Braided Rug Company and looks perfect for a cottage or country look


Vintage crochet hooks.

Coronet Ware plate bought for 50p Laura Ashley cushion cover bought for 75p

I love these irish linen pansies handkerchieves, so pretty!

The box that the handkerchieves come in

Another Ladybird book to add to my collection!


This vase was on the stall behind mine, I kept looking at it and as I was having my sandwich in the car I decided it finally was a must have.

Pretty metal sign, which will do in my work room

Lloyd Loom linen basket in need of a fresh coat of paint.

It's lovely to have such glorious weather for a change, we do get a lot of rain in Somerset...

I am really enjoying it. The apple trees are about to blossom and the Lily of the Valleys will be making an appearance soon. I so look forward to experiencing their heavenly scent again.

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Renee Award

(I love the design of the logo, very sweet!)

I have received this wonderful new award from Nina at Vintage Nina.

Thank you Nina, it is very kind of you and is much appreciated!

Nina's post explains more about this new award.

I understand that I can pass this award on to 8 other blogs of my choice.

Here are the 8 ladies in no particular order, who I feel deserve the award. There are many other deserving ladies but 8 is all could chose...

Katie from Textile Treasure Seekers

Vale from Les Cotrions
Yvonne from English Style

Marie from Nostalgi och Romantik

Philippa from 5FT INF

Tine from White Vintage

Koralee from Blue Bird Note

Mandy from Live Laugh and Love

To those of you who have received the award, I leave it entirely up to you if you wish to pass on this award to 8 other blogs. You need not feel obliged to do so.

It's a bit short and sweet today as I have a mountain of ironing to do! The washing machine broke down last week. A week on and it has finally been fixed. It doesn't take long to pile up!

The washing machine has been on all day today and will be on for the best part of tomorrow too...

Not quite sure I look as enthusiastic as this lady does when I do my ironing... :-)

A bientôt!

Isabelle x

Wildlife Weekend

Hello, I hope that you have all had a good Easter weekend!

On Good Friday we took Phoebe to Secret World in East Hunspill, Highbridge, Somerset. It is a rescue centre for wild animals. It is not open to the public on a daily basis, only on special open weekends such as this one. This weekend was a Bonanza badger weekend.

We saw baby badgers, a baby fox, lamas, peacocks, rabbits, chickens, hedgehogs, owls and other birds of prey. The aim is to bring them back to good health and release them back to the wild. Although some may never be returned to the wild and are cared for by the staff at Secret World. They also made everyone aware of the main dangers for these wild animals, Man sadly. Their website goes in to more detail.

Baby fox

Baby badger (There were a lot of arrrhhh sounds from the crowd when the baby fox and baby badger appeared for a short spell)

There were a lot of peacocks there too.

It is a great place for children to see some of the wild animals close up and to get a better understanding of them. They also have an adoption scheme in place which is a great gift for children and helps look after some of the animals in need.

On Sunday we visited another animal Sanctuary called Ferne Animal Sanctuary near Chard, Somerset. It is very close to the Devon & Dorset border. The grounds are lovely and spacious, very green with rolling hills around. The weather was perfect, beautiful blue sky.

Here they take in different kinds of animals.

We saw several of cats, tortoises, donkeys, horses, pigs, dogs, the largest breed of cows in Britain (Friesian Steer) , goats, chickens, chipmunks, geese and other animals

Phoebe and Alan looking at one of the Friesian Steer cows

Phoebe looks tiny next to the picture representing the scale & size of a Fresian Steer.

Being a cat lover, I really wanted to bring these 3 little cuties back home with us! But sadly couldn't :-( as we already have two at home...

Phoebe & I in search of more cats.

This friendly elderly cat enjoyed a bit of fuss and attention.


We ended our day with a drive down to Charmouth beach (Dorset). We were there for a couple of hours looking for crabs in rock pools and fossils.

Plenty of fresh air and exercise to walk off those chocolate Easter eggs...

A bientôt!

Isabelle x