Dad

Brian Sapcote

A kind, gentle, funny man

a teacher, role model and artisan

24 Februay 1936 - 25 September 2010

I wanted to post about today but can't find the right words.  This was placed in the local newspaper after Dad died and actually it's perfect.



Determined

Today I am determined to write a post.  I just don't seem to have had the time or inclination to post at all so I am making a big effort to make it my first 'to do' of my day.

The holiday in Cornwall was wonderful.  The weather was mostly kind to us and we even had a few days of real holiday sunshine.  Enough for Belle to catch a few rays.

Guess how this happened?  Belle came to me and said 'look at these funny red marks on my legs mum, they weren't there this morning and I don't think they are bites' - Belle does get bitten a lot.  I pondered and looked and then laughed.  She had this smile shaped mark on one leg and on the other lots of stripes.  'Ah ha' said I that looks like a case of sunburn through jeans that are ripped down the legs and look like they are fit for the bin.  It was, the sun had caught her skin through the holes in her ripped jeans, (quite expensive jeans from Hollister - do you have a Hollister shop near you it is like going into a black hole, the lighting is really dim - not good for the older generation like me.  I think they do it so you can't see the prices of things that your teenage daughter falls in love with).  Anyhow problem solved and shorts were worn from then on to even out the marks.

We generally just pottered around whilst away.  Betty and her boyfriend Ant had come along with us so some days he went off to surf and we all went to our favourite places.  Marazion, Falmouth, Truro, Church  Cove and St Ives.  It was really busy we normally go to Cornwall at Easter or October half term so it did seem a little too busy in St Ives but we still loved it.  I had such a good time that I was really poor at taking photos, so sorry to all those who are waiting for holiday snaps, I took three.  Here they are.

I know three photos from a weeks holiday - must try harder in future.

I'm going to go now as I have a busy day ahead, nothing exciting, food shopping, pot washing, tip visiting kind of day but all essential if not a little boring.  When all the boring stuff is done I am going to sew - will share that another day.

Saltaire Take Two

On Sunday we decided to visit Saltaire near Bradford.  We encourage Nellie and Belle to join us and they did - yeah.  Betty had uni work to  do so she stayed at home - actually she took her laptop to the pub where she works to do it.  Not sure how much got done but as the Diet Police are on patrol I know she was not drinking - only pop.

Saltaire is a great place to visit as it has something for everyone.  On first floor is a gallery with lots of faberoony art and artefacts.  There is also a vast variety of books on art, fashion, graphics, design etc.  K was in his element he is partial to a good book purchase and is always tempted.  He is thrifty though and always checks online before he purchases to get the best price.  He ordered two books when he got home and I don't know how it  happened but two from my selection popped up in his basket.  Thanks K.  Amazon were very kind  and because he is a good customer gave him a £10 voucher.  Not bad.

On the second floor Yorkshire Fashion Archive had an exhibition - it was well worth a visit.  Not only did they have items of clothing that had been donated they have photographs of the people who owned them wearing them and their story.  Goosebump time - well for me anyway - I really enjoy social history and nostalgia.

Does this make you chuckle?

It did me!

This homemade wedding dress from the late 1950's was a pale salmon pink - the lady who made it and wore it said she didn't suit white and that it reminded her of her school blouses so she went for the pink - apparently it was becoming fashionable in the late 50's to wear pink - you  learn something new everyday don't you.

Here she is on her Wedding Day - isn't is gorgeous

The lady who made and designed this dress also screen printed the fabric - she was an art student - as Nellie and I said it wouldn't look out of place now.

Lovely

This happy couple  were just about to go on honeymoon to Wales

The dress was really pretty

This outfit looks very 40's but was actually a 1970's piece

BIG collar and looked like crimpoline - nice.

We did partake in a little snackette from the Diner.

There was a great household items section with super stuff but NO PHOTOS so can't share.  I can share that a few items were purchased to go in my giveaway which I will post about very soon.

After a good stoll around the mill we venture a little into the village.  Houses all in rows with beautiful windows, stately looking lions

and rainbow llamas

Nellie and Belle

Having fun watching a film of David Hockney's latest work which he has created using his i-pad.

We had a great day and as we were walking out I said to the girl's that was great fun, we all stayed together as a family and didn't split up -ha ha said Nellie quick as a flash - that's cos you have the money.  Only  joking she said. 

Why Saltaire twice you may wonder - well the last time we went just K and I we had a fuss - code for argument in the Diner and I had a strop and demanded to be taken home.  What was it about - oh just the saga of the dresser top being returned into the house from the garage.  Very serious at the time really silly now. Good job we know each other and our quirky ways so well.

Day at the Races?

Another event at yet another Race Course our third in three weeks - I think.  This time it was the Festival of Vintage at York Race Course.  We set off nice and early with Betty in tow.  There was a big queue to get in it must have taken about 20 mins.  Oh the excitement.  As soon as we entered I knew it would be a good one.  Lots of stalls, music and a Make Do and Mend corner.  Workshops for free!!  We signed up for the first one and left K to have a wonder around.

Kit to make a bracelet

Great start you think - no - Betty did not feel well and we just made it through the workshop.  I wondered why she couldn't sew a button on or thread a needle.  She isn't as crafty as me but she can do the basics.  Long story short, sick on the stand of York Race Course, then half an hour - at least on the floor in the toilet - not attractive - she was grateful that the toilets were immaculate although she did say she felt so ill she would have lay her head down in the scruffiest of holes.  We then tried to get her outside - disaster - just heading for the lift as she could hardly walk and low and behold she was sick in a bin - just next to the Vintage Beauty Parlour.  Luckily K and I shielded her well with our bodies and my large green cardi and I really don't think anyone saw.  In fact I don't think they did because one couple started to get out their picnic about a metre away from us - I told them out of politeness but they carried on regardless.  I was gutted.  Because she was poorly but also because it looked sooooo good.  Betty declared that she felt much better and she was sure after a sleep in the car she would be fine.  Her Dad took her to Vera the Volvo and we went back to the fair. 

It was great.

There was a skiffle band, lots of stalls, lindy hoppers (you could join in if you wished - I was not brave enough but I would love a go).

The Band - didn't get their name

A bit of vintage dancing (sorry about the photos not sure what's happened)

Lots of folk dressed up for the occasion and were happy to have their photos taken.  I really loved the dungarees and spotty blouse outfit - probably because it was what I would wear.

 The cafe was serving tea and cakes from what I could see.  It was packed out and I am sure it took the organisers by surprise.

Outside were vintage cars from various eras with was right up K's street.

Although K does love to look around fairs his taste is quite different to mine.  He likes Marcel Bruer, Dieter Rams and Lubs. More stylised than my tastes but that's good - ish.  We are now in conflict about whether the top to the dresser may return into the house from the garage - think i'm winning - only just.

We met a lovely family all dressed up in 1940's outfits, Granny, Grandpa, Mum and three children.  The children told me their Daddy was at work and had missed out.  Baby was in a vintage Silver Cross pram - so cute.  (I have more photo's but am having trouble getting them downloaded) - someone - Nellie - has changed the settings  on the camera and I didn't know.

Anyhow Betty was indeed Ok - the course of her woes Mrs P (code for period pains).  Yuk she has always been like this but now she is older she is normally on top of it with pain killers etc.  This time caught her out.  As she was recovered and her face was no longer green we went for a good ole stroll around York.  The sun was out so it was really busy but it made a change the last three times we have been its either been freezing cold or chucking it down.

We had a picnic near the Minster School, strolled around the outside of the Minster, had a brisk walk around the shops and then RAN to see Cath.  Oh yeah the CK shop in York is a good one. 

Betty bought herself a new bag and I got new plimsolls,  one is never too old for plimsolls specially when they are navy blue and covered with stars.

 Oh yeah a good day indeed.!!!!

UK OK

Had a great day.  One thing we can be proud of is a bit of pomp and circumstance. What a beautiful bride and groom.  We all watched the wedding - K who was not going to watch took pole position on the footstool head on hands - when we all exclaimed THOUGHT YOU WERE NOT GOING TO WATCH - he replied 'well I just want to see the Queen and the bride's dress - doh - that's watching the wedding you numpty. He did then venture into town to collect Nellie's prom shoes. When  Kate appeared from the hotel door Belle jumped up just like when The Blades score a goal (not very often) and obscured my view completely.  She was promptly shouted at and told to sit down.  I just wanted to see the dress she said - umm yes and so do I.   The girls were really excited, they were saying  'is that him,  no there he is,   then they squealed there he is we have spotted him.  OMG they were so giddy.  Please remember the girls are 21, 16 and 14.  Who was this person you may ask?  Oh but is was not in fact a person.  True to our rather crazy house tradition  it was not in fact a person it was a horse they had seen at Horse Guards Parade whilst we were in London a few weeks ago.  They were smitten with him as apparently he stuck his tongue out a lot and actually licked a tourist and slobbered on him whilst he was having his photo taken.  My Girl's are not horsey girls but they really took to him.  Here he is.

They were convinced they saw him and I am sure they were right..  

After we had seen 'The Kiss' I prepared tea.  Then we all had a jolly good scoff - the Diet Police had the day off today did you know that - Betty and I made sure of it so we could partake in the eating of lots of bunage - def: the eating of lots of delicious cakes, biscuits, scones, teacakes and party rings. A term I only heard recently but I love it.

Party food (Seigfried had to get in on the photo - flirt)

Bunage - clothes horse in background - whoops

Betty's finest home made scotch eggs - yum 

Last but most certainly not least Nellie made a very patriotic biscuit - it took her ages - and the making of it was accompanied by lots of slamming of kitchen doors and a few cross words but it was worth it.  Check this out.

The icing all prepared

UK OK

(biscuit cutter from Liberty London)

Biscuit the size of a dinner plate - did we eat it? No we didn't dare!

Hop Little Bunnies

Had a great day today went to a children's easter workshop at Hope and Elvis.  LSJ and nephew Harry went along too.  H had great fun and was really into his making.  He drove the sewing machine whilst I moved the fabric and we made a great team.  Here's what he created.

An Easter Bunny Bag to hold his Easter eggs.

He decided the bunny needed a carrot

This is EB he is a cool Easter Bunny wearing a jacket and shorts and very super sun glasses a joint effort between H and Aunty Deb.

Even LSJ (Little Sister J) that's my little sister H's mummy got in on the sewing act (SURPRISE) as I introduced her to Louise she stated 'i'm not like Deb you know I don't make things' but she did and she even had a tussle with H about the spotty red button as she wanted to use it on her rabbit.  See there must be a button loving gene in there somewhere.  Here's a little snippet of LSJ's rabbit and an action shot of her sewing.

Look an action shot 

The precious red spotty button - Louise remembered that it was from a pair of her grand-daughters jeans.  He was a cute rabbit and she did finish him.

We had great fun as did all the other children and grownup's who all secretly enjoyed it just as much as the children.  Well done Louise another fab workshop.

Today

Today I have been to work AGAIN different place though - I had a really good day - did sticking and gluing and sick bucket duty today - ah variety is the spice of life.  Going again on Friday I enjoyed it so much. 

Today I spoke to my Little SisterJ (LSJ) on the phone.  Yesterday she text and said she had read the blog and she had left a comment which made me laugh.  LSJ said she had found out more info from the blog than she knew before - that's possibly not true as there are some things I share with her that I couldn't share with you.  She wasn't even cross that I had told you all that she was 40.  Haha.  She did say that she had never ever ever looked at a blog before and now she has had a peek at quite a few.  She was also AMAZED that I am NOT the only person in the world who roots around car boots and charity shops for vintage stuff.  Imagine that she really thought I was one of a kind - it was so funny- and she has now even forgiven me for making her wait in the car whilst I foraged for old ladies tablecloths in the Charity Shop.  I did of course invite her into said charity shop for a root around but she very poltely declined. which is good -one less person to compete with for the vintage stuff LOL.

Big SisterG (BSG) commented on one post saying what you been doing you haven't posted -pressure or what! So here you are BSG two post in one night albeit one without a photo.

Talking of photo's I know I said I would post the mucky corners of my home well on Saturday I wondered around the front room taking photos of the corners and the piles and the shoe rack in the hall.  K asked what I was doing and I told him I was doing it for the blog - WHAT he exclaimed you are putting it on the internet for all to see.  Yeah I replied - it's to motivate ME - you know photo of it messy then photo when I have tidied it up - good motivation I thought.  Hrumph was the reply - I didn't post the photos but guess what I tidied one corner and K did all the hall, paired up shoes, put away shoes, swept floor, hoovered, mopped, put rug in WASHER and it looked marvelous so ladies and gents a top tip - take photos of your mucky corners - and your other half might tidy it up.  GREAT SUCCESS in my book.  I must tell you all though that K is very domesticated and it is not unusual for him to clean, wash, iron etc and when I was working full time we did have half shares in domestic duties so I don't want you to think that he doesn't do owt on the domestic front because he does just not as much now I am a stay at home mum.

TTFN

A Few Tears

Image from Diane's post

I have just read a lovely post on diane's blog about a book my Aunty Ann wrote about the place she was brought up.  It gave me goosebumps and then I did have a few tears.  Obviously I know my Aunty wrote the book I have my own signed copy but to hear someone elses review of it was really special.  My family, my history, my lovely Dad and his family - Oh i'm crying again - I will do a post on the book soon and show you my photo in there and I will point out the very handsome young man that is my Dad.  Gosh I miss him so much.  Good night all. 

 

Waving

Helloo to G my Big Sister are you out there.  I have just admitted to my sister that I have a blog and she is reading it now.  Helllloooooooooo.  Check this out big sister see what i've been up to.  LOVE YOU.

Cakes for Betty

Betty was due to return from her holiday in France on Sunday evening so I set about making her some fairy cakes to welcome her back.  Also she had not had a cake on her actually birthday - we tried Nellie baked her a large cupcake cake but alas it was not in the oven long enough and the middle was runny.  Disappointing but after a blast in the microwave it was delicious with custard.  Nellie is a very good baker and cook - she is dreadfully messy whilst she is doing it - but I suppose I can cope with that - I can, I can - actually I can't the mess is awful yukity yuk.

I have got some lovely photos but I can't download them it is taking ageeeees.  Any tips on downloading would be most appreciated.

Anyhow as Betty was going away the day after her birthday we decided it wasn't a good idea to make another one.  I did tell her that there would be something on her return.  Whilst in bed, not sleeping so well, ideas popped into my little brain.  Disney themed fairy cakes - the possibilities were endless.  I had a few ideas of my own and then I Googled - or Boogled - myself silly with all the ideas. 

I bought the cakes from Morrisons - thinking it would save me time - it did.  It also made is easier to ice they were all the same shape and size so I didnt have to bake loads of cakes to get the right shapes etc.  We had 12 each to decorate Nellie and Belle made theirs after I had done mine.  I had great fun but Belle got a little bored with hers so I finished them off with some ready made frosting from Morrisons.  A new line I think I didnt like it much it had a strange texture - taste not bad - but not as good as home made buttercream icing.
I was going to do a reveal here with a photo of the cakes but I can't seem to get the photos on here.  I will try tomorrow because I really must go to bed now I am fair tuckered.  (very tired).

Can you see this - I did it - I got a picture on and it only took seconds not half an hour - Great success

The alien from Toy Story

Drink me from Alice in Wonderland and a Fairy Wand



Can you see any more?

A toadstool from Alice, a fairy crown, 101 dalmations, mickey and minne and a glass slipper.  I had such fun.  Actually I think my bestest favourite is the top one with the tiny flowers and pearls and SPARKLES or if you are from Yorkshire  shunkley (don't know how you spell it).  

Well photos on but font is different and I don't know why.  Ah variety is the spice of life.

Been charity shop shopping today - so exciting - well for me anyway going again tomorrow with my friend Louise we are going to race each other around the market to get the best buys.  Ha Ha wonder who will win.  Will post about it tomorrow and show and tell my purchases



Home Alone

Felling a little better. Had some tea and and the dizziness is under control I think.  I am home alone tho.  Betty and Antanon have gone to a house party, Nellie is working in a local community hall and Belle DD3 has gone to spend the NY with her friend.  Mr K has gone into town (Sheffield) with my BIL and my two nephews.  So I am home alone - do I mind - no - not at all.  I'm in my pj's sat on the sofa, sewing by my side and the dog near my feet.  Well actually he keeps running off to the other room to have his 'own space'.  I'm as happy as Larry.  I have been making suffolk puffs (yo yo's) from my feedsack fabric that I bought recently from ebay.  I don't know what I am going to do with them - ideas greatfully received.  HNY.

My little suffolk puffs - I am v proud of this photo as I have downloaded it all my myself like a big girl.

Its not a fab photo though - never mind it's a start.

Coincidences

Do you believe in coincidences?  I have experienced quite a few recently and today I have experienced one more and now I have a blog I can write about it and look it up later - how marvelous.  Tonight I needed to phone my mum to see if she needed anything from the local shop.  We have been snowed in now for almost 10 days and mum doesn't go out in the snow/ice as she is afraid of falling etc.  Anyhow I went to phone her using the landline and in semi-darkness.  How clever am I I thought dialling the number without looking!  The phone was answered and I said helloooooo in my usual manner.  Hello was the reply.  Oh I said thats not my mum sorry got the wrong number.  Its Susan (not real name) here the voice said.  Oh that's my mums name I said but you're not my mum.  We both laughed.  The voice sounded vaguely familiar.  Is that Susan who lives in ......... place - not far from me - the sister of W.  Yes she replied.  Well I never it was K's aunty who I have not seen or spoken to in ages.  We had a pleasant chat and catch up and when I asked her what her number was it is only one digit different from my mum's.  She said she was feeling fed up as she had not been out in 2 weeks because of the snow - she has had her hip replaced - and she said that the phone call had really cheered her up.  A lovely coincidence for us both.