Tuesday, 30th April 2013 - 12:12:39pm - Abandoned

I have just got back from Kino with Tim. We saw Oblivion. If you like Tom Cruise films and science fiction it is one for you. If not, do not go. I loved it very much. We shared a very nice bar of nutty chocolate which made the evening perfect.

We have Harriet (who has been diagnosed with arthritis, the Dr thinks it will only be for the short term, up to two months - that is what we all hope), Brett (doing a fine job but I think a little tired). Hetty (who has got infantile eczema, another short term condition and should be gone by the time she starts school) and little Arabella, all staying the night so they can come and watch the Morris Men dance at 5.30ish am.

I have collected 60 SEOS guides along with many posters and signs. I am very excitied. Just a few bits of preparation to go.

I have no guests this evening which means I can enjoy being with the Morris Men tomorrow which is a real treat as I normally have to rush back to cook for guests.

I have a burden of guilt on my shoulders. It really was not my fault. I was clearing a patch of brambles and disturbed a nesting pheasant. It was a very stupid and open place to have a nest. She has not returned to the eggs which are now alone and cold. Don't comment I feel bad enough already.

12:12:39am
Abandoned
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Monday, 29th April 2013 - 12:10:21 pm - Snakes Heads

Tim picked me some Fritillary from the woods.

12:10:21 am
Snakes Heads
Watercolour
Mountboard

Sunday, 28th April 2013 - 12:07:43pm - After the Dishwasher

Old guests gone. New ones arrived as well as Tescos. Out the door just after midday.

It took Tim and I 2 hours and 25mins (half an hour to park) to drive to Greenwich where we met Ewen, Chris, Rowan and Teresa for lunch at The Meantime Brewery. I enjoyed my burger and raspberry beer very much. We ran out of time and only looked at The Cutty Sark from the outside. Back home in 61 minutes in plenty of time to watch Endeavour.

12:07:43am 

After the Dishwasher

Pen with Watercolour

300gsm not paper

Saturday, 27th April 2013 - 12:05:05pm - Empty Pots

Tim danced along with a few other Weald of Kent this morning at The Bell and Jorrocks to see Rosie on her charity bike ride. Some of us had to work!!!

I planted my many bargain perennial plants in the nicely rained on garden.

We decided not to go to the pub this evening as we had done our weekend drinking yesterday. Then Tony and Wendy rang and we had to meet them at The King William where we sampled some very disappointing chips. Good thing we had a curry from Waitrose waiting for us at home. Very nice evening with Dr Who.

12:05:05am
Empty Pots
Quink Ink with Bamboo Pen
130gsm not paper

Friday, 26th April 2013 - 12:02:27pm - Coffee and Hetty's Cakes

Apart from the minor internal waterfall due to a leaking shower it has been a peaceful day.

Tim and I enjoyed Hetty's beautifully decorated cakes with our coffee. Cream and pink butter icing sprinkled with green, orange and blue sugar glitter, chocolate beans stuck nice and deep with little fingers, tiny marshmallows and topped with a wafer flower which had a lick or two to help it stick. What more could a grandparent need. Thank you Hetty they were delicious.

I had a wheelbarrow of plants which are now big enough to venture out into the garden but got side tracked by the masses of weeds needing removing.

Just for those who may have been concerned our sick chicken she has recovered and back on a diet of burnt toast.

We pottered into Tenterden in the search of a frame for my 77cm x 14cm painting that is the first picture I made in 2012 and is to be the centre of my exhibition. Not much luck. It does not seem to be a common size. I am going to have to make something somehow.

Tim said todays painting is one for the scrapbook along with yesterdays. Must be my scrapbook phase. I am hoping the few glasses of wine I had at The Woolpack with Mike and Pippa will inspire my creativity.

12:02:27
Coffee and Hetty's Cakes
Watercolour
Jacksons 130lb not

Thursday, 25th April 2013 - 11:59:50am - The Return of the Plug

After my lovely guests left me I drove Brett's mended Vauxhall over to see Harriet. On the way through Smarden it decided to cut out. It is not quite right. I turned around and swapped it for the trusty Punto. The Vauxhall is back at the garage.

I stopped off at Screwfix to return an item.

What a busy day Harriet, Hetty, Arabella and I had. We read Mister Magnolia and many Hairy Mc Clary (?sp) books while unpeeling BabyBels. We iced and decorated fairy cakes. We went to the drs. Harriet is worn out from overuse and needs to rest. Near imposssible with two babies. We did a bit of shopping that Hetty insisted on carrying home. A trip to the park followed by fish fingers for tea. A wonderfully exhausting day

11:59:50am
The Return of the Plug
Acrylic Ink
Mountboard

Wednesday, 24th April 2013 - 11:57:12am - Cuckoo Flower

I have no words today.

11:57:12am
Cuckoo Flower
Pen and Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Tuesday, 23rd April 2013 - 11:54:34am - Grass and Violets

A wonderful sun filled day.

11:54:34am
Grass and Violets
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Monday, 22nd April 2013 - 11:51:56am - Play Gym

Tim and I met Harriet at the drs this morning. They did not seem overly concerned (unlike me) about her swollen hands and knee. I hope it is just a case of her body telling her to slow things down a bit.

After a lot of running around at playgym we went back to Harriet's to join Tim for lunch.

Tim and I came home to find that our delightful guests had done all the washing up for us.

I had an experimental evening at my art class with gesso, glue and tissue.

I need my bed very much.

11:51:56am

Play Gym

Watercolour

300gsm not paper

Sunday, 21st April 2013 - 11:49:18am - Restoration Oil

My alarm forgot to wake me this morning. Good thing tim is an early riser and nudged me out of bed to cook guests breakfasts.

What a gloriously sunny day. We have made a start on reviving our garden furniture. Two chairs down about another dozen to go.

Harriet has an odd ailment. Both her hands are painful and swollen. She is going to wait to see her GP tomorrow much to my disagreement. I think she should have gone today.

Well done to Felicity, my niece who ran the London Marathon in 5hrs 36mins raising money for WellChild. We are very proud of you.

We met Mike and Pippa at Great Dixter. They have a lovely new building serving drinks and snacks and sampled their coffee. We seemed to be the only people in the garden which was trying to catch up with our late Spring.

Back to ours for lunch made by Tim with the new sandwich maker he gave me for my birthday. Very enjoyable with a glass of chilled white wine.

I hope Harriet has nothing serious wrong. I am going to bed a worried mother.

11:49:18am
Restoration Oil
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Saturday, 20th April 2013 - 11:46:41am - Not a Bee and Grapes

The Bee Fly has appeared about a month later than last year. It must have been waiting for the sun.

11:46:41am
Not a Bee and Grapes
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Friday, 19th April 2013 - 11:44:04am - Beans and Peas

We were rudely evacuated from our cosy bed by the early arrival of the boiler engineer. All mended.

I have planted up busy lizzie and begonia plants that Thompson and Morgan sent me.

Mangetout, runner bean and broad beans have been tucked into pots of compost.

I have framed a few more pictures for SEOS.

We met Alan and Mary in The Woolpack for more than one early evening drink.

The hunt for the Boston bomber is unsettling.

11:44:04am
Beans and Peas
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Thursday, 18th April 2013 - 11:41:25am - Four Girls go Swimming

I loaded the car with sandwiches, roast chicken and trifle and headed off to Canterbury.

Harriet, Hetty, Arabella and I all went swimming. Hetty was in my charge for a while. It is fun and a little worrying racing around after a toddler who has no fear of drowning. I then had a very gentle time floating about with Arabella.

Hetty and Arabella napped while Harriet and I rummaged through H&M.

I have been promising to take Harriet for an afternoon tea in Fenwicks for months. It was well worth the wait.

Hetty enjoyed her boiled goose egg I found her for tea. Little Arabella smiled at me, and the trees, and the cups on the dresser.

11:41:25am
Four Girls go Swimming
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Wednesday, 17th April 2013 - 11:38:47am - Coffee in Rye

I awoke alone but with the sun shining to warm my morning.

I collected Mum from Lorien. We went to Hayden's for coffee followed by macaroni cheese for lunch. I sadly took one of Dad's jackets to the charity shop. They were pleased with it.

Back home via Jempsons to collect trifle ingredients before turning around and getting Tim from Staplehurst. We have eventually dropped off the presents for The White family to welcome little Primrose. I had a lovely milky cuddle. She looks just like her brother.

I am looking forward to a day with my daughter and granddaughters tomorrow.

11:38:47am
Coffee in Rye
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Tuesday, 16th april 2013 - 11:36:09am - Tim's London Transport

I am alone again. Tim had to go London to give a pre dinner presentation and is staying the night.

11:36:09am
Tim's London Transport
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Monday, 15th April 2013 - 11:33:32am - Out from Hibernation

The weather has been beautiful today.

It has warmed up enough for me to find a Peacock butterfly in our bedroom that was very pleased to find an open window.

I thought the cat was enjoying the sun but after three hours of no movement decided that she was not feeling very well. She is much better after two injections and a £70 trip to the vet.

I enjoyed my art class as much as the glass of wine I had with Sarah.

11:33:32am
Out from Hibernation
Watercolour
300gsm not Paper

Sunday, 14th April 2013 - 11:30:54 - Bird Table Maintenance

A working morning followed by an afternoon of play.

Tim and I met Si, Lesley, Alan and Mary in the Bell and Jorrocks to watch Soul Alchemy play. Thank you Barry for playing Weather With You for me. A few hours later accompanied by many drinks we (I as the beer festival was too tempting for Tim not to indulge in)  drove home collecting an indian takeaway which we enjoyed while watching Dr Who.

11:30:54

Bird Table Maintenance

Watercolour

300gm not paper

Saturday, 13th April 2013 - 11:28:16am - Warm Rain

We have a sick chicken. I think it could be mud fever.

Tim returns from seeing Tom ( I was very jealous of the curry they shared last night) in Bradford this evening and then we dash off to The Ewe and Lamb to celebrate Mike's birthday.

11:28:16am
Warm Rain
Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Friday, 12th April 2013 - 11:25:38am - Rain Did Not Stop Play

I had some very considerate guests who must have realised that I am not used to getting up early for work and had breakfast at 9.30am.

Jane and Bev held a garden sale today. I met up with Sarah who left before having coffee and cake with Pippa and Mandy. On our way out Margie and Julian (who it is good to see is much recovered after a serious illness) invited us to share a very decadent lunchtime glass of bubbly.

I am home alone again. Tim is in Bradford with Tom enjoying a curry. I wish I was there.

11:25:38am
Rain Did Not Stop Play
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Thursday, 11th April 2013 - 11:23am - Brownie Ingredients from Above

I have spent for too long preparing for guests today. I am out of practice. I have been baking, cleaning and putting things back where they should be. It does not help that I had turned the dining room into a framing studio. Shame it was perfect.

I have collected some beautiful pottery from Katie Brinsley in Hawkhurst to sell to my very lucky guests. I love the cream jug with the bird on.

11:23am
Brownie Ingredients from Above
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Wednesday, 10th April 2013 - 11:20:22am - Decorated Toes

I have spent a wonderful day with Harriet, Hetty and Arabella, joined after work by Brett.

We had birthday cake. Thank you for a lovely cake with beautifully stuck on chocolate buttons.

Hetty and I found a new game to play. How to decorate your feet with flowers.

11:20:22am
Decorated Toes
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Tuesday, 9th April 2013 - 11:17:45am - Just a Nail

There are lambs springing about all over the fields.

I had my slow puncture in my tyre. John fixed it for me.

11:17:45am
Just a Nail
Quink Ink
300gsm not paper

Monday 8th April 2013 - 11:15:07am - Coffee Turned into Wine

Thank you to all those who have sent me birthday wishes, given presents, cards and joined me for coffee (followed by a little wine)  at The George this morning.

Tim and I ended my happy birthday with fish and chips while watching The Heist on BlinkBox.

I am taking my old weary bones to bed.

11:15:07am
Coffee Turned into Wine
Pen with Watercolour
300gsm not paper

Sunday, 7th April 2013 - 11:12:29am - £1.40 a Dozen

I have had a lovely Sunday much of it spent in the garden tidying and planting seeds. Marigolds to keep the beast of the vegetables. Rudbekia for Tim. Courgettes for me. Mother and Baby houseplants for myself and Hetty. Long may the sun shine to warm to soil for multiple germinations.

11:12:29am
£1.40 a Dozen
Pen with Caran D'Ache Neocolor
300gsm not Paper

Saturday, 6th April 2013 - 11:09:51am - Climbing Ivy

What a sunny day, in parts, we have had in Benenden today. It was warm enough for me to venture into our woods. The cold weather has put Spring on hold.

I have been framing. I love my Logan mount cutter. Tim has been working on our new bed and breakfast website.

We took a break at The Bell and Jorrocks sharing a drink or two with Alan and Mary.

11:09:51am
Climbing Ivy
Stabilo Pens

Friday, 5th April 2013 - 11:07:13am - Nearly Tenterden Market

Tim tempted me out of bed with the promise of buying me a coffee at the market in Tenterden. It was snowing so we did not go. I should have stayed snuggled up in bed.

It would have been a lovely painting of the market but instead you have a lovely painting of vast quantity of post we got this morning. Sorry not a atmospheric landscape for June

I framed some more pictures.

We met Mike and Pippa in The Woolpack for a few drinks.

11:07:13am
Nearly Tenterden Market
Watercolour
Paper

Thursday, 4th April 2013 - 11:04:36am - Mount Cutting Ingredients

I have taken over the dining room and turned it into a framers. I had a lovely day listening to the radio, watching the snow fall but not settle while turning my scraps of paintings into reasonable pieces of artwork.

I can now cut a beautiful bevel.

11:04:36am
Mount Cutting Ingredients
Watercolour
Paper

Wednesday, 3rd April 2013 -10:01:58am - Ready for the Gym

Happy Birthday to Harriet. Twenty eight today and looking beautiful.

I spent the day with Harriet, Hetty and Arabella. We went to the gym. I am rather unsteady bouncing on the castle holding Hetty but did not fall over - today.

We had presents, sandwiches and many mugs of tea while playing. I made Harriet a birthday cake that came out rather bigger than anticipated. It was spotty inside. I made Harriet a cottage pie that came out rather bigger than anticipated.

I drove to Canterbury in the snow and home in the snow. It is not a surprise any longer.

10:01:58am
Ready for the Gym
Watercolour
Jacksons 130lb not

Tuesday, 2nd April 2013 - 10:59:20am - Wishful Morphing

If I had been on time for my coffee appointment with Sarah you may have got a charming painting of Sarah in the George but I was a little late so not today. Instead you have cars and vans.

Tim and I dropped off Brett's car at our lovely local garage. Bake a cake for John and he seems to be able to mend any car. He is going a survey. We are still waiting.

I am not sure what happened to the time today. It has nearly gone. I have a cake in the oven. Far too old for a bun. Harriet is 28 tomorrow and I am making a delightful leopard cake. If it works I will post a photo for you. It is still cooking and the batter tastes good.

Brett would love to have a van to carry his tools around in. Must be a man thing as I see no temptation. I am hoping that his Vauxhall may morph into a van as it was surrounded by them at the garage.

I miss my granddaughters.

10:59:20am
Wishful Morphing
Pen with Watercolour
Jacksons 130lb not

Monday, 1st April 2013 - 10:56:42am - Plough the Fields and Scatter

We are back home from an evening of Absinthe and home brewed cider at Steve's. I avoided both beverages enjoying a glass of white wine or two instead. Apparently the more vintage cider was preferable along with the fairies in the green Absinthe - if you say so. We had a wonderful evening and lovely food very bravely cooked by Vivienne on the Aga.

This morning the fields were being sown which caused great masses of birds to descend. Amazing to watch.

The Evans came over for bread and soup. We are taking Brett's car to the garage to try and get it fixed at a very reasonable rate so they have borrowed the Volvo in the meantime. We all visited the new lambs at Albans Barnyard and enjoyed tea and cake. Hetty made short work of her piece of Victoria Sandwich that Si had made. Then we went to Steve's

10:56:42am
Plough the Fields and Scatter
Watercolour
Jacksons 130lb not