A bunch of new arrivals

So, the fruits of James and Treacle's brief 'affaire' arrived yesterday from 11am through until 12.30 am.  A total of 8 tiny puppies made their way into the world with very little fuss and bother. One breech delivery was very fragile, and needed 10minutes to drain its lungs and circulate its blood supply, and another was very slightly stuck at the shoulders. All in all though, she did magnificently and is proving to be a really competent mother. James is a very proud father, and is guarding the gates to his family castle against all comers. Fudge, the Aunt, and previous breeder in this house, doesn't even seem to mind, though she is keeping a weather eye on proceedings.

The farmer and I are exhausted already, the prospect of caring for 8 of the blighters for the next couple of months is very daunting. However, it must be done. And then there is home finding for them! With so many I am considering some sort of bogof offer Buy One Get One Free, or Buy two and take the lot..... Though I have had some enquiries about a prospective litter, it remains to be seen if any of those enquiries turn into actual homes.

More than this I cannot tell you, owing to brain freeze caused by the constant tiny cry of infant puppies. Its very hard to resist....

Mucho love X

dog ball....

 The farrier came yesterday, and after he had finished shoeing the yellow horse he lit up his oven again and popped one of the old shoes inside. He was hammering away whilst I rugged up the horse and turned him back out. When I returned to the farrier's van to pay and say cheerio he was just finishing remodelling the old shoe into this pan stand! He made one for all his customers this Christmas. One of his customers lost her horse to colic shortly after he gave her the remodelled old shoe. She is delighted to have such a lovely keepsake. And so am I. Absolutely delighted.

And tonight all our canines are loving the fire. Very much.

Parents in waiting

Parents to be!

Happy Noo Yare!

My niece, now Mrs Alice Rowntree, was married on the 21st December 2013 at Ingoldmells Church. It was a wonderful day. Here's my rather regal outfit, I managed to borrow the head-gear and buy the boots on EBay for £5.00!!! How canny is that!

 Here are the Smithson Whiteheads looking all spiffy for once.

And here are the old 'uns, looking pretty worn out by Christmas!

The young 'uns dressed up as..... Hobbits! for Skegness' annual New Year Fancy Dress jamboree.

We took the Australian guests to see the local Hunt. It was a glorious day, the sun shone, hounds scented well, and a jolly good time was had by all, canine, equine and human!

 The boys, who are now men, of course! Christmas 2013. Baby boy half way through his Masters at the Royal, and Big Boy half way through his year in Industry with FisherGerman.

The joy of soft-focus. Not a wrinkle to be seen. As I also indulged in a little temporary hair dying for the wedding too, there's not a grey hair either!

Our young peacock, growing his first long tail, and very proud of it he is too. Obviously the long feathers are not yet formed, but he keeps practicing his seduction techniques in a window, enabling excellent photography opportunities.

Here's one from long long ago, when we were young, foolish and THIN. On holiday with some dear friends, in a Landmark Trust property. I believe the farmer tapped out chopsticks on this wonderful grand piano, which was in our entrance hall. Note to self: never buy any more giant ear-rings.....

And a final photo of the big, red tent, ready for marking. Nothing else in the space, and the floor covered by a piece of white cloth. I am becoming anxious to know how its going to be marked, which will happen any day now.....

 

We had a lovely Christmas, visiting friends and seeing family, even though the Baby Boy departed on Christmas Eve, to return to us at New Year. Unfortunately I was struck down with a virus just prior to New Year, so we welcomed the 1st January at home in front of the fire.

 

Now recovered, looking forward to my final term at College, and thinking about returning to working for a living....... oh my goodness, now there's a prospect!

 

On that delightful note I shall sign off, and drink my tea!

 

PS: James the stud poodle has finally caught Treacle our blue roan cocker spaniel. A litter of cockerpoo pups are eagerly awaited at the beginning of February. How exciting is that!

 

chow baby XXX

 

Long time, long time

Where to start? Been a long time, mainly because I seem to have transferred my computing completely to the new iPad, and sadly iPad doesn't like blogging. I'm not sure why. So, all photos recently have been on the iPad, or my phone, neither of which talk to this laptop. I need to replace the laptop probably, but that's not happening just now. Anyhows, excuses aside, my work for my first semester at skool is done, and is photographed above. The silk screen prints (on silk, and hand hemmed in red silk) have been put away, they didn't make the cut, I am only exhibiting the Big Red Tent. Make of it what you will! Next term, for my degree show, I shall be making and exhibiting 3 tents with lady-parts. I'll keep you posted. Here's a heads up though - the degree show is at the beginning of June 2014, at University Centre, Grimsby, and I would be delighted to see you there.

November has slithered by in the winking of an eye. My cousin arrived from Australia for 48 wonderful hours shared with his English family, particularly my Dad. All very emotional. He was swiftly followed by his daughter, her husband and their two children who made a rather longer stay of a week! It was absolutely wonderful to get to know the next generation. I hope the smalls will remember us!

The yellow horse endured a very uncomfortable November with his back. I think he might have a trapped sciatic nerve. He has had several remedial massages, new shoes and is now on anti-inflammatories, all of which should contribute towards making him more comfortable.

Gardener's Question Time (Radio 4) was recorded in Wainfleet towards the end of November, The Farmer and I rolled up, clutching our tickets and our questions. I am a big fan. As luck would have it one of our questions was selected for the recording, and I took my place on the front row to complete my radio experience. It was a great evening.

Dog news. The eternal virgin (the blue roan bitch) duly came into season towards the end of November. Once more, despite James' determined charm onslaught, she seemed to be resisting all his attempts to coerce her into a sexual liaison. However, as I walked them all over the fields yesterday the tiny poodle must have surprised her, and caught her off her guard - and WHOOPPEE!!! The deed is done. Obviously we don't know whether there will be a puppy shaped outcome to their consorting together, but we are hopeful. Not as hopeful as James though, who is now working hard at repeating his lucky break!

Early December has seen me beginning to purchase white wedding dresses on eBay for my post Christmas tent-making, also pink, red and grey fabric. I have sourced 10 meters of sack-cloth, and hand-dyed it grey. All for same installation work. Can't describe how excited I am with the concept. I hope I have the technical skills to bring it all to fruition. This success is tempered by my absolute and utter failure in the dissertation writing department. I cannot bore you with the details, suffice to say I have now written three beginnings for three different dissertations, each of 4500 words. As the entire total only needs to be 10000 words I am feeling pretty worn out! Hoping my third writing effort proves to 'the one' as I am pretty satisfied with it - the decision, however, rests with my dissertation tutor, and she's a hard taskmaster.

Finally, yesterday and today have seen a TIDAL SURGE down the East Coast. Its been a very uncomfortable and tense time, poor old Boston, and Hull have really caught it, and Skegness has not emerged dry from the experience either. More news to follow, as photos are only just beginning to come in.

All in all, its been an interesting month, and year. I think its the right time to wish you all a SUPER HAPPY, PEACEFUL AND RELAXING Christmas, and much success in 2014.

Mucho festive love.... Cx

Kent, Brighton and Wonderful Warsaw

So, folks, its been a busy time and I seem to have done lots of travelling. The weekend of 4th, 5th and 6th October I planned to drive myself to Brighton, stay in a super-luxury hotel, glide along to an artist talk and exhibition I wanted to attend, and then make my leisurely way home, refreshed and illuminated. The reality was that a dear friend, on learning that I was travelling so far south, found a horse she simply had to see, in Kent. Approx 60 miles from my own destination, but what are 60 miles between friends? So, we set off (in her very new and comfortable car) early on Saturday morning, straight to see the horse. He was a complete poppet, and we arranged to see him again on the Sunday morning. Thus, we were able to make our way to our previously booked accommodation in some rooms behind a Pub.  They had looked fantastic on line. The reality, folks, was somewhat different. Grubby, cobwebby, with a strong odour of damp and bed linen that would have benefitted from a very good hot wash, it looked like £95.00 very badly spent for us. My friend was reduced to tears. I offered to clean it if the Landlord would provide the materials! Instead we returned our keys, had a very frank exchange with the owners, and made our way to a spotlessly clean Premier Inn about 30 minutes away. Hooray! Thank you Premier Inn. Early next morning we were back with the little horse, and a deal was done in good time to transport me to Brighton for my Artists talk. I had not forgotten that the talk was the purpose of my journey to the south coast! Sadly a few miles into the motorway transfer the new car suffered a puncture, on the roadside rear tyre. We were too chicken-hearted to lay in the motorway to attempt a wheel change, and so a wonderful AA man had to come and risk his life.... this meant that my arrival at the talk was postponed until half-way through the event. No matter - it actually worked really well. The Artist's talk was poorly attended, she greeted me like a long-lost friend, and I achieved all I wanted (networking, advice, names, names, names) within the ensuing hour. My chauffeur and I then climbed back into her benighted vehicle, and crawled back to Lincolnshire on the 50mph safety spare.... it took some time.

Not content with this adventure the Farmer accompanied me to Warsaw in Poland last weekend to visit a life-time retrospective exhibition for Magdalena Abakanowicz (One of Poland's foremost sculptors) at their national centre for sculpture near Oronsko in the depths of the Polish countryside. I take my hat off to the farmer, who exited the aeroplane, booked out a hire car, drove us 100km across Poland, walked the exhibition and talked to the Curator all afternoon, then masterfully drove us back to Central Warsaw to drop off the hire car. Phew. We were absolutely shattered! We had a further two days exploring Warsaw and beginning to understand the awful wartime experiences they are still trying to come to terms with. Our homeward journey was not quite so straightforward, we had a 6 hr delay and  airport transfer on a coach, owing to fog, and the awesome awfulness of Ryanair. Oh well. You can't win them all.

This weekend brought us the Baby Boy and the lovely D to fill any time we thought we might have to spare, also more horse viewing with another friend and coffee and cakes with yet another friend! Luckily its half-term week from skool, so I have a couple of recovery days in hand, prior to a visitation from the Eldest, our silver wedding anniversary (tomorrow) and my 'slightly more than 21st' birthday on Thursday. Friday will see me in Lincoln. I am thinking of applying for some time off for good behaviour......

On the advice of the Kent horse buying friend I purchased some horse clippers and have shaved one of the spaniels. Her coat has deteriorated since we had her spayed, and she seemed to have become completely woolly. The clipping looks wonderful and she seems much happier in herself. Excellent advice and a very happy outcome.

The Baby boy is working hard at the Royal, the Big Boy also at FisherGerman. The Farmer is all harvested but the weather has turned before he has quite ploughed up. Now too wet to try, so he will have to be patient. He has sold his big blue tractor, and is now having fun trying to find a replacement, and scouring tractor porn on a daily basis.

College going very well, skidding downhill to finishing in 2014. Full of ideas for practical artistic output between now and then, and the first few pages of the dissertation committed to paper. So, all in all, a busy, productive and very satisfying October so far. Be Christmas before we know it.

Toodle - Oooooo old chaps. XXXX

And the harvest is.............IN!

The weeds of shame (don't even ask) have finally been cut, the rape seeds shaken free of the encroaching overgrowth, the resultant woody stems baled and cleared, and whoop-de-whoop, the last field is DONE! Relief apparent for both the Farmer and me, the growth of the weeds of shame have been something of a bone of contention at this house. Thank all the gods that this growing season is now complete.

After taking a day to recover from a migraine yesterday I am on form today, baking and cooking like a dervish, cleaning and vacuuming now that the (very large) chicks have pushed off once more.

Have firm ideas about the direction of this term's college work (not for the faint-hearted) and researching far and wide for the dissertation thingy.

BESPOKE FANCY BACK SHIRTS

I have a friend who is about to start out in business making fancy back shirts (dinner shirts or office shirts) bespoke. Choose your gaudy fabric, and she will tailor it into a new, high end, designer, plain fronted, sober shirt which only displays its giddy heart when you remove your jacket. She is such a clever needle-woman I believe it will be a roaring success. I have ordered one each for the boys on the basis that they will be walking advertisements at their University events!

Must press on, much to do, much to do.... X

Home news

 Pretty pleased that my vine has come to fruition this Autumn. I remembered to pinch out as many grape clusters as I could find, and as a result, these three are plumping up nicely. Some time I would like to learn how to look after the vine itself, its like a triffid, absolutely enormous, and I have a suspicion it needed cutting back at some time!

Another Autumn surprise. The Motherbulb has not only thrown off another dozen young bulbs for splitting and potting on,  she has found the time (and energy) to bring a little colour to my Autumn days. Anyone would think I was green-fingered. As it happens I mostly have killing fingers, but those that can survive my care and attention seem to push on and do extremely well indeed. Tough on the inside and the outside.

Life needs a little something to cheer it sometimes, and I found these in Waitrose recently. Mmmmm. The orange flavoured gin is  ..... citrusish, and moreish, I have yet to sample Bloom's Premium. Something to look forward to as the nights draw in!

 

Pottering forward towards my birthday and 25th wedding anniversary, both of which have come around in practically the blink of an eye. October may contain a trip to Brighton to listen to an Artist talk about 'ladyparts', a flight to Poland to see some Abakanowicz Sculptures and a wedding anniversary holiday. I see that every weekend is already spoken for (sigh). No wondering where the time runs away to! Took the Baby Boy shopping yesterday, for appropriate clothing and footwear for his new Masters endeavour, also new tyre for his car (its just worn out!) and usual stationery requisites. Bank account now so light it practically floated away last night when I check depredations. Guessing Mothers never have any funds to call their own.....thinking I might have to sell my soul (or what's left of it) to fund October's gadding around. Oh well, as the baby boy would say - YOLO!!!Slightly damp eyed at the prospect of the nest being empty again - let's hope for puppies...

 

Toodle ooooo X

 

 

 

 

6 so far - look away those of a sensitive disposition....

Delighted with the set. Thinking I might make a screen print thingy to be able to silk screen one repetitively. Happy days.

Big boy pipeline walking near Caistor. Baby Boy packing to go to the Royal. Busy times.

And so, it begins

Well, here are the first, trial sketches. Mixed papers, varying techniques, and A1 size...

my neighbour in the next studio at college can't even look at the drawings, and was so appalled by the photos that she could hardly talk. Only one or two students have been into my space to look, or discuss, the imagery, though it's early days yet.

 

 

The fourth sketch. I was particularly pleased with it, however my fellow students (the two who were courageous enough to look) disliked it more than the others. Hmmmm. I have now selected one of these images to draw 6ft tall. What a challenge! I need a set of steps...

Took an elderly, and moulting, mink stole apart at the weekend. To my immense surprise each of the 6 pelts had a mask/head complete with a pair of glass eyes and a black waxen nose, a pair of hind legs and its tail. So, I have brought all 6 little furry fellows into college, and am moderately sure that there will be an opportunity to use them in my installation towards Christmas. They look quite excited about it don't they! Currently they are just 'hanging around' watching the world go by through their hard little glassy eyes.

Here is the MONSTER roll of drawing paper now erected on the wall of my college studio ready for the first fandango drawing..... The size of the drawing surface scared me to bits.... gathering courage tonight to make a beginning tomorrow.

 

I other news. The Baby Boy's eyes are improving and stabilising. He leaves for the Royal Agricultural College to start his Masters in 2 weeks. He's excited. The Big Boy has not had time to come home for weeks, hoping, really hoping, that he is coming this weekend. He's as busy as a bee.

 

The farmer continues to struggle through his harvest. Beans will be a bit longer before they can be collected, apparently. Bad weather has currently stopped play, though ploughing continues.

Here's the baby boy wearing his 'sleep goggles' which protect his newly operated on eyes from being rubbed in the night. We thought he looked rather 'froggy'. Probably hoping for a kiss from a princess.

And here's the yellow boy after winning his class at a local show two weeks ago. We had a fun day out. I rode him to the show, took off his tack and left it on a bale of straw, went into the show ring and won, then tacked him up again to go home. I carried all our 'stuff' in a rucksack on my back, and also carried a shooting stick to sit on whilst at the show. I hope you are truly impressed! It would have been a damned sight easier to have taken the horsebox!

Surely there's been much more action 'down on the farm' but at the moment I can't think of any. Too, too tired to have fully operational memory! Never mind. I will try harder next time.

Mucho luvo duckies XX

caught napping

After an enormous mid-day Sunday repast, with the old peeps, both sons and the lodger, the Farmer retired to the sitting room to watch the Grand Prix. The lodger thought he might like to watch too. Ten minutes later the Baby boy went to offer them a cup of tea. This is what he found. The washing-up dodgers had both decided to succumb to the napping fairy. The lodger even managed to sleep whilst clasping his own mug of tea. Miraculous. Caught in the act, they claimed to be resting their eyes. The farmer did seem to know who won the grand prix when interviewed later, I suspect he managed to catch the highlights. The Big Boy has gone to the pub with the lovely young lady who helped him with his Chinese language and translations, and the baby boy is resting after some farm work (which has covered him in dust and mud). The lodger managed to lose his spectacles last night (possibly due to some 'close-contact' with a member of the opposite sex). He didn't go to specsavers.....



Took the yellow horse out this arvo., and also let the poodle accompany. He has his own high-viz jacket, which he wore with pride. He rode the horse with me on the way home. His legs were tired.

Toodle-Oooo for now chickadees. X

road kill pie

The Big Boy came home from A-de-la-Z this morning. On his journey he happened upon a fresh killed baby deer. Obviously, being him, he stopped his tiny car and flung the carcass into his boot. There was a happy arrival at home, with much welcoming and embracing. He opened the back of his car. The dead deer face peered up at the throng. Without stopping to draw breath the boy had the body strung up, skinned, gutted and on the kitchen table for butchering. Its been quite a trying afternoon. However, the dogs have a pan full of 'stuff' and the haunches and fillets are in the freezer. I learned much and could claim that the entire process was a bonding experience with my son.....

Living in interesting times. X

pony perturbation

We went back to look at handsome Ron, and the decision has been made that he's a bit 'green' even though he's grey & black. If he doesn't sell, we might go back again. We drove onwards to Leicester to see a guaranteed, cast iron promise of a quiet and slightly older version. When he was led out of the stable he turned out to have 4 legs that were not straight, and 4 feet which added interesting twists at the ends of each leg. He was already (probably) worn out when we arrived, and nearly fell over (literally) when I picked up a foreleg. We watched him work for approximately 60 seconds, the poor lad crossed his front feet with every step. My companion then excused us, and a very tense walk to the car and reverse up the drive saw us make our get-away. Nearly 200 mile round trip to look at a poor thing. What a bunch of time-wasters!

Skegness' Own Big Fat Gypsy Gathering

The seafront car park last weekend. The farmer wouldn't let me get any closer. The tax-dodging, litter strewing, 'brand new transit' driving hordes occupied the entire car park in Skegness, and also in Ingoldmells. I hope they have taken themselves off by now. Have not been to look, its soooo disheartening. My mother in law wondered if they would be paying for their parking!!! Hohoho.

Spent 20 hard earned pounds on this last week:

When I first put it on, it fitted the yellow horse. After three days the rope had given/stretched so that it now hangs down his nose, and gapes at the back in a dangerous and irritating way for the yella fella. I CANNOT find my purchase details (careless) and so have given the now giant headcollar to a friend who keeps shire horses. The moral of this story is: don't be impressed by good looks and pretty colours, leather takes some beating! The yellow horse also has two scrapes behind his chin, a big graze on his shin, and a slow-healing nick on a hind heel. I blame all these bloomin' flies, making him kick, bite and rub to drive them off his skin. So, he is now liberally dotted with purple spray, fly spray, wound cream and blue bandage. Looks like a clown.

 

 

 

Went with a friend to look at this pretty boy yesterday. His name is Ronaldo, and he is full of Irish charm, he was born and bred in Connemara. If the farmer would not have murdered me I would have bought him for myself, (move over yellow horse, this ghostly grey is just as gorgeous). Thankfully I managed to keep quiet and leave my wallet in my pocket. Not so sure about the friend, who was seduced by a large and kind pair of eyes and a laid back attitude. So, boys, take note. Grey hair is very distinguished and a kiss of the blarney stone never did anyone much harm.....

Think we might be going for a second look at the lovely Ron later in the week. Otherwise, no dates in my diary and so anticipating a quiet and peaceful week of cleaning and polishing..... (unlikely).

The farm-yard is full to bursting of Anglian Water equipment. Tractors, containers, some sort of pipe-lining machine, 24hour guards and other sundries. Apparently they are re-lining a local water main. The cost of all this stuff must be absolutely immense. Assuming this is why our water supply is so expensive. The gate alarm is ringing 50 times a day and it feels like Clapham Junction outside. When harvesting begins I probably won't be able to hear myself think! Looking forward to the peace and quiet of college in a couple of weeks!

Adios for now amigos. X