Easter is coming....time for Easter Tree's

The first time we lived in Germany about 25 years ago was when I first came across Easter Tree's. In the part of Germany that we lived in those days they would decorate bunches of cherry blossom twigs or other blossom which would blossom gradually with the heat of being indoors so that by Easter Sunday it both looked and smelt glorious. I don't have any fruit tree's in my garden where we live now so I use fake branches for my Easter Tree's.

Spring has sprung!

My Azalea has blossomed and looks fabulous this morning!

My Russian Doll Collection.

It started with my Mum and Dad getting my first set in the 1960's then when I visited Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin in 1991 my collection really got going. I also have quite a few from a trip to Minsk some year's ago. I love the colours and the different styles of sets you can buy. I have to display them now all inside each other so only the largest is visible or they take over. I know it's not a large collection but I love them.

Visiting Blenheim Palace

My husband and I took our two teen-age daughter's for a trip to Blenheim Palace near Oxford on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous for April in England and although it was busy it was not so crowded as to make the trip unpleasant. We had a lovely day and learned a lot, Winston Churchill was born and married here which I knew before I went but we also learned a lot about the Malborough family to whom the palace belongs. Funny how tastes change over the year's though.

Wedding Memories

I have one son planning a wedding this year and another who was married last year and I was just looking through some of the photo's at some of the detail's from last year. It was a beautiful wedding and I was thrilled with how it turned out. My friend who did the flowers did an amazing job and I was grateful for the help to get the hall looking so good. My daughter in law to be fought her way to catching the bouquet and sure enough she is marrying my son in June. We are really looking forward to their wedding, they have chosen beautiful colours and have some great idea's to make the day special.

Overall View

Lanterns and fairylights



Top Table



Flower stands made by my Father



Detail of centre pieces



Detail of Brides bouquet



Cake by Alison Fraser



Centre Piece

Bride's Car

Bride and Bridesmaid's shoes

Dessert

Details of centre pieces

Hugely popular Candy Station

Table settings

Chapel Flower's using my Father's stands

Brooch by Natasha Fraser

Seating plan list's

Roadshow Fever

Three weeks ago our Ward did a great job putting on a fantastic Roadshow. My husband and I wrote it and I directed it, the cast rose to the occasion and really pulled out all the stops and performed it so well. It was a close call as we had only practised for a month and on stage at the performance was the first time we had done the whole thing without stopping, so well done everyone I'm so proud of you. We'll perform our hilarious Entre Act again maybe at Christmas, a treat for everyone.

Our Princes trapped in the tower

Our fabulous cast

Our amazing witches who wanted to spoil 'all the fairytales for all the little children everywhere in the land'

Our Princesses to the rescue

The fabulous peasants

Our witches after their make-over's!

Visiting Chawton

Two weeks ago my two youngest daughter's and I had a 'Pride and Prejudice' marathon. (The BBC version of course). So thus inspired we visited Jane Austen's house at Chawton a week ago. I last went there about 13 year's ago which is shameful, it has improved greatly and is a wonderful trip out. It's the house where she revised and had her work published, there are some item's on display from the various production's made of her work. I will try not to leave it 13 year's until another visit.

Jane Austen's House, Chawton

Side view of house

Hat worn by Emma Thompson in 'Sense and Sensibility'

Dress from another production

Jane Austen's writing

Mother's Day

 I've decided to start a blog and keep up with my teen-age daughter. Yesterday was Mother's Day and my daughter's 18th birthday. (Since when has English Mother's Day been in April, and Pancake Day been in March??) We took turn's using the kitchen and baking for each other on Saturday. Had a great day yesterday with my husband three daughter's, son and daughter in-law home and calls from remaining two son's. It was such a fun day, good food, lovely treats and that was just me. My 18 year old was thrilled with her gifts also and we have all enjoyed having Alexander and Kelly visiting for the weekend.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Thanks Chris










Natasha designed this for Anastasia's 18th.

 

Natasha desgined these for me.









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