Xenia's Prom.

Just a quick post with pictures of Xenia's prom dress. It wasn't quite the colour we were expecting when it arrived from America but Xenia looked lovely and it really suited her.

While dropping her off eight 'minis' arrived and drove round and round the roundabout!

Spitalfields Market

Last month Xenia and I took a long awaited trip to London. We had postponed a few times because of the persistent rain that we have had in England for so long. After the obligatory first stop on Oxford Street for some shopping we went to Liverpool Street Station to Ponti's for lunch with Nathan and met up with Chris as well. After lunch we went over to Spitalfields Market which on Thursday has an Antiques/Retro section. I love old suitcases and cameras and kitchenware so although it was hot and sticky it was really interesting. Another time I will go straight there. We met Teri briefly for an ice cream then took a look over at Brick Lane on our way to a thrift shop that was advertised on the internet but had gone. We took a taxi back to Waterloo Station so did a little bit more sightseeing as we went. We won't be venturing back to London until after the Olympics now. I love this area of London.

Patriotic Oxford Street.

My favourite handbag stall.

Great food at Ponti's, Liverppol Street Station.

Yes it's famous!

Browsing at the vintage camera stall.

Xenia

It was so hot I needed this sundae at Valerie's Patisserie

Teri caught up with us for a while.

Jubilee Festivities

We have had a great long weekend of entertaining and fun. Sunday we had a lovely family get together, Monday old friends were visiting the area so we were able to get together again. Tuesday was our Stake Jubilee party, only the weather didn't play nice over the weekend but what is more British than enjoying ourselves in the rain and queueing for food (barbequing for over 200 people is not easy). There was a cake baking competition that had some fabulously creative entries, glad I didn't enter actually, my cakes taste great but wouldn't have looked as great as some of the entries.  Now we need a long bank holiday in bed to get over it!

The Barbeque Kings!

A bit of colour is always good

The grounds were looking very festive with alot of nivce bunting as well

Some of the cakes

Taking the Cake judging very seriously

This person didn't want the cake to be judged and brought it in anonymously gorgeous!

Still taking their job seriously!

Jubilee Weekend

It's quite wonderful to be here in England and living some history. I have Jubilee'd up the house and invented a verb. Of course the weather has changed now it is holiday weekend and half term, what did I expect! However a four day break is never a bad thing. I collected Anastasia from Cardiff and the first stage of her belongings, we were very lucky with the traffic. She has one more exam before her summer break. For now though let the barbeques begin!!!!!

The Empress of Blandings.....

You may think that The Empress of Blandings is the name of a prize pig in a series of books by P.G. Wodehouse and you would be correct but it's also the name of a great little eatery out near Cadnam in the new Forest that we love to visit when Lyndhurst and beyond is just too busy with traffic. There are P.G. Wodehouse quotes and references all over the main dining area which adds to the fun and the ambience. Also the food is lovely!

Our friend from Oz...

We had a great reunion a few weeks ago with our dear friend Sonia who emigrated to Australia quite a few years ago. We had a little gathering for her at my house. It was so much fun and although the years have passed our friendships are as strong as ever. We miss her so much with her enthusiasm for everything. Next time maybe it won't be so long between visits.

Sandra,Lorna, Sonia, Ann M and Ann W.

Antique Hunting in Leek.

As Chris and I headed to the many Antique shops in the nearby town of Leek we found we had got there before the shops were even open so a word of advise don't go Antique-ing before 10:30 in the morning! There are shops with several floors in old mills so they have a vast array of delights to look at. I always knew we would have no room in the car to take anything large home so I was very disciplined but I loved browsing and I am really looking forward to going back there one day when I have moved house and have space to fill.

I see this cabinet displaying quilts somewhere in space I don't have right now!