Saturday, 31st August 2013 - Pippa's Cans

A relatively quiet morning. Tim and I inspected our horizontal weatherboard which seems to have become the home for many slow worms.

This afternoon I picked up two of my unsold paintings. I have sold one.

We sat in the late afternoon sun at Caxton Cottage with Nigel and Sarah where we enjoyed  where we shared some very tasty nibbles and caught up on many stories.

Tim has gone out to try and locate our elderly guests from New Zealand who we seem to have mislaid.

Pippa's Can

Pen with Caran D'Ache Pencils

Recycled Card

Friday, 30th August 2013 - The Colours of Monet

I have had a very stressful day. Tim came home and made it better.

The Colours of Monet

Acrylic

Acrylic Paper

Thursday, 29th August 2013 - Reviving Refreshment

A busy working day. Thank goodness for tea.

Reviving Refreshment
Caran D'Ache Neocolour
Cream tinted 140lb Bockingford

Wednesday, 28th August 2013 - An Evans Squash

Another morning off work. I trundled over to Canterbury in our amazing little Fiat. While Arabella slept Harriet, Hetty and I played hiding under the bedding - it really is fun whatever age. A walk to the river where Hetty played being a statue with Grandma's vital support. The day went far too quickly and I was having to drive back home and to work before I was really wanting to. I did go to Aldi and get some red checked serviettes for my best friend Sarah.

An Evans Squash
Winsor and Newton Ink
Handmade paper with petals

Tuesday, 27th August 2013 - Studio for Thought

I had tea in bed. It was wonderful.

This afternoon Tim and I drove to Dungeness. We walked in the warm wind of the power station along the beach and among the eccentric homes. I love it there. Onto Rye to check that The Ypres pub is ready for 25 morris men descending upon them with attachments where we took refreshment. The Weald of Kent Morris are doing a tour of Rye next Sunday if you fancy coming along. Feeling a little hungry after all that fresh air we got fish and chips and ate them while being very closely watched by some rather attentive seagulls. Jempsons provided us with s tank of reasonably priced fuel and ice creams for dessert.

Studio for Thought
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Monday, 26th August 2013 - After the Dance

I arrived for my stewarding duty at The Weald of Kent Art Exhibition to find one of my paintings sold. Just two more to go. The sun and the bank holiday brought many visitors to view the delightful pictures. Next stop was The Onion Festival at The Lord Raglan. It was packed and the onions looked wonderful.

This evening Tim and I have ventured into our living room. I am watching Oblivion while blogging. I probably understand about fifty per cent of what I am watching.

After the Dance

Pen with Watercolour

Recycled Card

Sunday, 25th August 2013 - Boys and Beer

I successfully delivered my paintings for The Weald of Kent Art Show. On all this week in Tenterden Town Hall if you are passing.

Tim and I tried to find a charming walk out the back of our house this afternoon but ended up battling through many fields of beans. We plan to get a better map.

This evening we briefly met Sarah and Nigel at the art exhibition preview and all ended up in The Woolpack garden where there happened to be a beer festival with cider, music and rather tasty pork in a bun.

Boys and Beer
Pen with Watercolour
Recycled Card

Saturday, 24th August 2013 - Rain and Geraniums

It has been continuous rain today.

We are off to dance with friends to Soul Alchemy who are playing at Horsmonden Working Mens Club this evening

Rain and Geraniums
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Friday, 23rd August 2013 - Hips and Berries

The blackberries are beginning to ripen. I like blackberry and apple pie.

I was delighted that Sarah phoned me today but less delighted to find out she was gloating about having a morning of ease.

Harriet was back to see her rheumatology consultant and is still in remission. Well done.
We are very proud of you and I am sure it is down to your diet more than the drugs.

Hips and Berries

Watercolour

Paper

Thursday, 22nd August 2013 - Fascination

Tim and I collected, Harriet, Hetty and Arabella and went to Wingham Zoo. The rain had stopped by the time we arrived and left lots of delightful puddles for Hetty to jump in with her wellies. The reptile house was a favourite spot today.

Fascination

Watercolour

Wednesday, 21st August 2013 - Trout and Vegetables

My exhibition pictures are done and framed.

We had Bewl water trout, carrots, potatoes and runner beans from the garden.

Trout and Vegetables
Quink Ink and Watercolour
Paper

Tuesday, 20th August 2013 - Chilly Feet

Two down and one to go for my paintings for the Weald of Kent Exhibition starting in Tenterden next week. I need to get the last one done so I can visit my granddaughters this week.

I have had to get my slipper socks out the drawer as the evenings are getting cooler.

We went for a healthy speed walk this evening before dining on homegrown potatoes and runner beans.

Chilly Feet
Waterolour
Recycled Card

Monday, 19th August 2013 - Moon and Blackberries

Sooo good to be back home and catch up with stories from Harriet and Tom.

What a charming sunny day - shame I spent most of it inside working. We did manage to drag ourselves out this evening for a very much needed walk. We admired the setting sun and rising moon.

Moon and Blackberries
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Sunday, 18th August 2013 - While Fergus Sleeps

We are back home from a lovely few days in burgundy. Tim drove the 300 plus miles while I read my Kindle and occasionally the map.

While we were feasting on breakfast croissants Fergus was catching up on his sleep. I forgive him as he has just got a place at Kings to study Physics. Well done Fergus. Thank you for a lovely couple of days. Good to see Zoe looking so well, Lizzie looking so tall and Steve looking so fit.

Back at home and back to work. Lindsey served new guests with tea and cake in our absence. I wonder if she would like to come and serve breakfast for me tomorrow?

I wonder if anyone has missed me?

While Fergus Sleeps

Watercolour

Recycled Card

Saturday, 17th August 2013 - Relaxing

After a late start, The Adams family all going off to work, Tim and I drove to beautiful Avallon and had a wander and a coffee. We made a trip to Auchan to buy coffee and pizza for this evening. At Arcy we visited a Brocante where Tim did some mighty fine haggling on some tiles I found for the kitchen. Must go wine and pizza and friends are calling.

Relaxing

Pen
Sketchbook

Friday, 16th August 2013 - Burgundy

My eyes opened when they wanted to this morning. No alarm. Perfect.

Lizzie and I went to the boulangerie to collect breakfast. We sat in the sun with coffee

Breakfast Pastries

Pen with Watercolour

Sketchbook

Steve has been doing a marvellous job in the garden.

Steve's Passion

Pen with Watercolour

Sketchbook

Fergus was at work at the port at Auxerre. We met him and had lunch. The girls parted company with the boys and we went shopping.

Dresses for Granddaughers

Pen with Watercolour

Sketchbook

Buy one and get two for 1 euro each. Bit worried the leggings maybe a little small for Arabella.

I am blogging sitting in the warmth of a french evening drinking a fine cold glass of Saint Bris.

What a lovely holiday.

Thursday, 15th August 2013 - Custom Made

I had a request for a custom made card from a bed and breakfast guest. Delighted.

I may update my blog a little later with something a little more interesting but at the moment I just don't have time.

Custom Made

Wednesday, 14th August 2013 - Two Ponies

After breakfast - six in all today - I took Mum to Canterbury to play with Harriet (looking fantastic), Hetty (who entertained us) and Arabella (who charmed us). Then I took Mum home. Then I had a glass of wine.

Two Ponies

Pen with Watercolour

Recycled Card

Tuesday, 13th August 2013 - The Stings

Nigel's blackcurrant picker is fixed so he was to busy to come to the pub. We took Sarah to The Peacock but the Spitfire that was in the carpark had gone much to Sarah's disappointment. We gave her a couple of ciders which I hoped softened the blow along with some charming music from The Stings.

Back home to find my blackcurrant jam has not set. If I was not in public I would be typing many expletives.

The Stings

Pen with Watercolour

Recycled Card

Monday, 12th August 2013 - Blackcurrant Pickers

A blackcurrant picking machine has broken down. It should have been at Hallwood Farm today. I hope it is mended soon as the hour we spent picking made little inroads on the massive amount of currants. At least we tried.

Blackcurrant Pickers

Acrylic

Recycled Card

Sunday, 11th August 2013 - My Day in Patchwork

I don't need to write any text today.

My Day in Patchwork
Pen with Watercolour

Saturday, 10th August 2013 - Art, Egg and Ice-cream

I have a new frying pan. It started work this morning.

Tim and I collected his Mum and we went to Rye. Tim was busy arranging a Morris tour. Brenda and I went to a photographic exhibition about the Romney Marsh churches and then the summer exhibition by The Rye Society of Artists which was a bargain at 50p and we saw some lovely work. We had a much needed cream tea.

Tim stopped outside a pub to arrange a dancing time and there was an ice-cream van parked right nect to me. I had to have a MrWhippy ice-cream with flake.

Friday, 9th August 2013 - Did Someone Say 'Pub'

I have removed my woodruff from the garden. There maybe a few roots hiding as the ground is pretty solid.

Tim and I went to Tesco to get vital support for the weekend and dropped by Mike and Pippa's. Two bottles of Flint Dry, one bottle of Tescos Finest, a walk through fields to The Woolpack and a couple more drinks - I was enjoying cranberry juice with soda at this point.

Tim is snoring on the sofa as I blog.

 Did Someone Say 'Pub'

Pen with Watercolour

Recycled Card

Thursday, 8th August 2013 - Not One, Not Two but Three

I have sent my form off for the Weald of Kent Art Group Exhibition at the end of August. I have the frames. I have the titles. I have just got to paint the pictures. Very excited I have them in my head.

It was cold enough this evening to have a hot chocolate.

Not One, Not Two but Three

Pen with Watercolour

Recycled Card

Wednesday, 7th August 2013 - Temporary Book Group Member

After a day of work I was pleased to spend the evening at Kath's home with Pippa and Sarah discussing many important matter including our book Bring Up The Bodies. Sarah and I collected a takeaway Indian from Sahebs on our way past.

Temporary Book Group Member

Pen

Tuesday, 6th August 2013 - Sunflowers and Washing

I spent a jolly afternoon with Harriet, Hetty and Arabella. It was another day hot enough to dry the girls washing on the line outside.

My 'Grandmama' title has gone. I am just plain 'Grandma'. Arabella is doing a fine job crawling. She just has to learn how to go forwards rather than backwards.

Caran D'Ache Pencils

Langton 140lb not

Monday, 5th August 2013 - Butterscotch Banana Cake

No guests this morning. I did not have to get out of bed by my demanding alarm. Wonderful.

So you think to yourselves a day off for Kate. Hmmm not quite. Ironing to catch up with (but The White Queen and something about a lake entertained me). Cake to make for new arrivals and making myself delightfully presentable.

It would have been a better day if Sarah had bothered to meet me for coffee this morning but she was occupied by something better today.

I have decided to exhibit at the Weald of Kent art exhibition again this year. Not a great success previously but I have a plan. Tim is flummoxed as to why. Surely he knows me by now.

Butterscotch Banana Cake
Pen with Watercolour
Langton 140lb not

Sunday, 4th August 2013 - View from my Deckchair

I rested with my Kindle in the garden.

This afternoon we went for a wonderful walk with Tony, Wendy, Mike and Pippa. There was a vast number of sheep. Tim wont agree to me getting an angora goat. We visited The Star followed by The Bull in Rolvenden for refreshment before our return journey.

View from my Deckchair

Watercolour

Langton 140lb not

Saturday, 3rd August 2013 - Green Midget

We had a couple of drinks with Nick, Suzy, Alan, Mary, Gareth and Sue in the Bell and Jorrocks and admired Gareth and Sue's new addition.

Tim made me vintage cauliflower (it had been in the fridge a while) cheese with pink fir apple potatoes and beans from the garden for dinner. I enjoyed it very much while watching Casualty - there were a couple of near fatal accidents which was a cause for concern.

Green Midget

Pen with Watercolour

Langton 140lb not

Friday, 2nd August 2013 - Red and White

I spent a sweaty day cleaning and hoovering. I have a spider free home.

We popped over to see Mike and Pippa for a quick early evening drink at their house, followed by a wander enjoying the balmy evening to the Woolpack and finished off by shopping in Tesco.

I am puzzled by fracking!?!

Red and White

Pen with Watercolour

recycled card

1st August 2013 - Telekia speciosa

Wow was a hot one.

Sarah came for a quick pint of water and a coffee this morning. We did a garden chair safari. It was good to have a friend to talk to.

This afternoon Tim and I walked very slowly round Great Dixter. What a stunning garden. We sat in the shade under a towering yellow flowering plant. We bought one and are expecting great things from it in the garden. The label says it thrives in moist free draining soil - not quite the perfect specimen for our hard clay soil. Never mind I like a challenge.

Telekia speciosa

Pen with Watercolour

Paper