My Royal Wedding Invitation

We have some guests staying from America to enjoy all the excitemnet of "the" wedding. One of the ladies handed me an envelope. Inside it contained "the" Invitation. Whether it had got hijacked enroute by the Obamas or it had got stuck to the envelope which was going to David Beckham I will never know. It now takes pride of place in our sitting room which we will now have to rename the drawing room. Along side a photos of Jack on a point to point horse called Gypsy Dan ,Nicholas and of us on our wedding day. All I can say is to wish Prince William and Catherine -cousin Kate very very distant on the Lupton side of her family- all the very best for their future.Hoping their day goes as well as ours did and they will be just as happy.Even the flowers in our garden are getting into wedding mode and

shaping themselves as hearts,

Alex's Indigo11 and the Wasp Catcher

You will find Indigo 11 in Church Street in Helmsley. An amazing shop run by a very friendly Alex. She also has shops in Malton and Yarm. Her wares which are sourced from as far away as India and also just across the channel from France. With the chic that only France provides. Items you want to buy for the house,the garden,your best friend not forgetting yourself. Alex also has a thriving on-line business for those people like me who cant decide there and then. Hummm that's me I left behind a stone plate with 4 candles on it and a trio of little milk bottles ...I was intrigued to know what this glass bottle without a bottom was. It is a wasp catcher which I couldn't resist. Alex told me to put Irn-bru in as wasps are most partical to this. Although it is not wasp time I am going to do my girl guide bit to be prepared.

Happy Easter

What wonderful weather we are having.The animals are now enjoying being out in the fields. Late lambs and newly born calves are in the field next to the house. Birds are busy building their nests. With a little help of an electric mother -the incubator -these little ducklings have hatched out. Easter is very busy around here as lots of people go to Ampleforth Abbey for services.I have been busy in the garden as everything is springing into bud. The buddleia has been well cut back preparing for the summer when the butterflies are attracted to it. Happy Easter everyone and hope you enjoying your Easter eggs

Thirsk on Market Day

It is not often I venture out on the roads at weekends but I was looking for some plants for the garden. I headed to Thirsk as I knew it was market day. My first port of call was Hambleton Fresh Foods run by the Hebdon family.Philip and his wife Angela run the business now ,Philip being the 5th generation in the family business. They sell flowers ,plants and topiary bushes too. I came away with some Portobello mushrooms for supper,an iceberg and some grapes for my Dad. All this produce would have been brought in this morning I guess from Leeds when most of the county were still in dream state. HFF also stand at Northallerton on Wednesday but on Saturday and Mondays at Thirsk. It was teeming with people this morning but with 5 people on the tills it doesn't take long to get served. All the staff are very friendly and smiling and it is a pleasure if you can call it that to hand your money over. It was a lovely morning but they stand there rain or shine in all seasons.It was nice to see them so busy.

Marche Grundmann's Workshops

I spent an interesting evening meeting Marche Grundmann. She lives nearby in Oswaldkirk,her home an Aladdin's cave of home made treasures. She sells her creations-patchwork bags and throws,cushions and lavender bags.Vintage blankets are recycled and embroidery is painstaking done to make attractive hot water bottle covers,books covers,little hearts ,big hearts and a host of "i want " goodies. Marche has hoards of vintage material all neatly stacked for you to pick and choice if you are having a class at Marche's home.Buttons,ribbons and wools in a hue of colours. Woolen chickens and Easter bunnies,eggs cosies and sweet little dolls and mice. Ideally situated from here if you wish to spend a few hours learning a new skill or just gathering ideas to make then give impressive gifts. More details telephone Marche on -01439 788798. Although very accommodating classes are limited to 6 people on the hand sewing course and 3 people for the machine sewing. Classes can be on any day or the week or in the evening if that suits better.

Northallerton..my weekly shoppping trip

I usually do my weekly shop in Northallerton as I like the Greengrocers in the High street there.With 2 hours free parking too it helps and there are some really useful shops like Maxwell's the electric shop.Proper staff that are friendly and helpful greeting you as soon as you walk through the door. On the outskirts there is a real "farmers shop" which sells everything you could ever want called Sam Turners.My favourite shop is Lewis and Coopers.They have very good window displays. As their windows are always so clean I couldn't get a clear photo as everyone who walks by are reflected in it. There is a wonderful array of gifts upstairs as well as a tea room. Down stairs it is like an Aladdin's cave and you are spoilt for choice. the smell of coffee at the front of the shop where they grind the coffee beans. Towards the back of the shop their cheese and deli counter. Here you see people queuing up to get a lunchtime sandwich freshly made. They have a wonderful choice of olives too.

Harvey Nicholls came to our rescue....

For one who is known to like her food, I was very disappointed that after the Y11 there wasn't a bun fight.With the grandiose of the Grand Opera House I had thought we would be well treated.Not a biscuit in sight never mind a bun. So after a spot of shopping and before a bigger spot of shopping Sue,Mary and I went to Harvey Nicks for our lunch. While we were waiting we were amazed to see this "art" on the wall made of horseshoe nails going for a mere £1595. I took the photo as I didn't think yo would believe me and for Jack to see so we could knock a few up when he had a spare minute. Alright making them but I would love to hear someone who had bought one or even better someone who wanted it. I will organise one for them at the half the price -a true bargain !! We had a lovely lunch but did have to query the bill when we were charge £8.50 for a Martell brandy none of us had drunk. We did lunch rather than the afternoon tea which was on offer. I had to take a photo of it as it looked delicious.