V V Rouleaux

The other week when I was down in London, we went into VV Rouleaux, home of ribbons and trims. I loved the racks of goodies in glorious colours. I ended up buying some feather birdies, which have come to rest on a branch I rescued from our tree-lined road.

The turquoise coloured one reminds me of the budgies my grandmother used to keep. As one died it would be replaced with another, but the funny thing was that they were all called Peter. Male or female it didn't matter. And she would call to them, "Petey, Petey, Petey, who's a good boy?" I like those old family memories.

There's nothing else for it

Here in the UK it has rained all week. We've had the wettest April since records began. We were supposed to be going out walking today, but rain stopped play. So the girls came over here for tea and cake instead. As worst case scenarios go, it really wasn't that bad.

Tomatoes

I came across this idea for making small pots into which to plant seeds. The idea is that you don't have to take it out of the pot once it is ready, you just plant it and the newspaper biodegrades naturally. Here are our small tomato plants. Hopefully later on this summer we will have lots of juicy red tomatoes.

Gypsy Rose Lee in Life magazine

I just came across these photos courtesy of my young friend Darcie. Aren't they fantastic? The styling and the atmosphere of the time just come pouring out of the photos. I also really like the contrast between her stage persona and her real self as seen in the photos with her little boy and her husband.

Barbara Berrada

I am really struggling to decide which of these images from this litle shop I love the most. The Little Red Riding Hood caps, the Pierrot collars, the modern take on the lederhosen for kids, the party birds or the elephant ride with the man who doesn't realise he is dressed a bit like a clown.

This is all the work of one person. Respect is due.

All images copyright Barbara Berrada

For my friend Penny

My good friend Penny died exactly 3 years ago. When she was really ill, I used to go over and sit with her. She couldn't speak any longer, so we would just sit and watch videos on her laptop. This was one she introduced me to. My favourite dance routine ever.

There's no place like here - Luxton Lake

I have blogged before about the etsy series There's no place like here. Last time it was With love from Hannah. My other favourite film is this one about Tina Spangler's house at Luxton Lake.