Friday, 31st October 2014 - Hottest Halloween

It has been reported to be the hottest October 31st since records began. I took advantage and ate my lunch outside and read my Kindle storing in the suns rays for the long cold winter months ahead.

I had a 'day of duties' as my Mum refers to a day of domestic jobs.

My guests have eaten the brownie I made, and so has Tim.

I am delighted that Harriet has been thoroughly spoilt by Brett today with a trip to Emma Hellier in Bexhill for hair and nails - without the girls. Well deserved my lovely - looking even more gorgeous.

It is far too early to be thinking about Christmas....unless it is time to book The Santa Special on the steam railway for Hetty and Bella with Great Grandma ... feeling a little bit excited.

Hottest Halloween
Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Thursday, 30th October 2014 - The Festival Spiegeltent

After some swift breakfasts for guests I headed to Canterbury passing Brett on the way. Hetty and I completed ten puzzles - Bella was busy playing with her animals and napping. Harriet provided us with delicious snacks.

Harriet had a puzzle of her own getting the girls car seats back together and then into the car. We headed over to the other side of Canterbury to watch a theatre production of Country Owl and Town Squirrel - the girls enjoyed it very much. There were many of their friends there. It was held in an amazingly beautiful tent with mirrors on the poles - now that was interesting. On the way back we visited the animals at the pet shop followed by a quick dash around Morrisons before heading to Riverbend for tea, stories and bed.

I drove through intermittent fog home to find more insulation, plaster boarding and wiring had been done.

The Festival Spiegeltent

Pen with Watercolour

Watercolour Paper

Wednesday, 29th October 2014 - Wood and Wires

Not much to blog about today from me.

Brett and Tim are still working many hours on the house.

Wood and Wires
Pen and Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Tuesday, 28th October 2014 - Blackcurrant and Apricot Jam

A boiler engineer came to fix our ailing boiler which was intermittent in its production - this evening it has given up completely - no hot water - nor heating. Excellent job.

I have cleared my freezer of vintage fruit and made jam. The apricot was volcanic. Tim came to the rescue as it expelled itself from the pan onto the cooker. The blackcurrant was voluminous in quantity but much better behaved.

There are some very good series on the TV. We enjoyed Intruders very much this evening. I think Brett has gone home after a long day working on Little Holt.

Blackcurrant and Apricot Jam
Watercolour
Recycled Card

Monday, 27th October 2014 - Coffee and Cake

I left Brett insulating and Tim DIYing and met Sarah and Linda for a chatty coffee at Hartley Dyke Coffee House. There is a nice new farmshop attached to it. And even nicer to see Ian behind the butchers counter.

Harriet's (in fact it is The Evans' but I am guessing it will be mostly used by Harriet) kitchen sink and taps arrived. It looks rather lovely....and clean.

I seem to spend quite a bit of time moving things around trying to find a final destination.

A discussion involving mothers was taking place. Hence the serious expressions.

Coffee and Cake
Pen and Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Sunday, 26th October 2014 - Hemsted Forrest

I love the extra hour in bed - guilt free lie-in.

Brett has insulated, plaster boarded and started to build a new wall. A lot done a lot to do.

Tony and Wendy collected us for a walk in the woods. We were chatting a lot and relied on Tim and his directions. We got a little bit lost. I heard on Gardeners Question time today that there are 25 ways to navigate by looking at a tree, unfortunately none of us knew any of them. Two and a half hours later as the sun was setting we arrived back home. It was a great walk.

Hemsted Forrest
Pen with Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Saturday, 25th October 2014 - The Gruffulo Trail

We did not emerge from our bed until nearly 9am - how decadent are we. It was a timber delivery that  got us up.

A had one trip to the refuse lorry in the village with many sacks of rubbish from the building works. Then I went back again with an old dishwasher, bike and microwave - the metal salvage people were pleased to see me.

I have had a lovely afternoon with Harriet, Hetty and Bella. We went on a Gruffalo Trail at Bedgebury Pinetum at a very sedate pace followed by a trip to the play area. 

We got back home to have tea and birthday lemon meringue pie (very yummy) made by Harriet accompanied by some beautiful singing from Hetty.

A riot of television has entertained me while I cooked dinner, ate dinner and painted.

The Gruffalo Trail

Pen and Watercolour

Watercolour Paper

Friday, 24th October 2014 - The Kitty Fisher

A very Happy 56th Birthday to Tim.

After many many many months of deliberation I eventually purchased a new Barbour Jacket for Tim, accompanied by a jar of homemade pickled eggs and a new electric toothbrush - he seemed very happy with his presents. I did good.

We met with Mike, Pippa, Si and Lesley for a quick birthday drink at The Kitty Fisher. We ambled home at gone 10.30pm so the planned dinner did not materialise and we settled for toast and yesterdays leftovers.

The Kitty Fisher
Pen with Watercolour
Recycled Cartd

Thursday, 23rd October 2014 - Fuchsia and Rose

I am without guests this evening and for a few days to come.

A rather lovely white china kitchen sink is on its way for The Evans' new home.

There is very little flowering in the garden at the moment but a did find a few beauties.

Fuchsia and Rose
Pen and Coloured Ink
Watercolour Paper

Wednesday, 22nd October 2014 - BACS at The Bull

A bit of a chilly day but I kept warm hoovering and gardening.

Early evening we went to The Bull to celebrate 25 years of the Benenden Amenity and Countryside Society with drinks and nibbles. A few people we knew. It was a nice evening for a walk to and fro - the road was a bit busy.

I am enjoying watching The Apprentice in a cringey sort of way.

BACS at The Bull
Pen
Watercolour Paper

Tuesday, 21st October 2014 - Shhh - Birthday Pickled Eggs

I made Tiffin and flapjacks for my guests - they did not want any tea and or biscuits. We have plenty if you want any.

I have made bread for guests - I think they will like that with breakfast.

It is Tim's birthday on Friday. I have doing some preparations and wrapping today. I love birthdays.

Shhh - Birthday Pickled Eggs
Pen

Monday, 20th October 2014 - Foliage Frottage

Tim is home from Atlanta..

I collected leaves from our garden and they had a few hours in a press before being released at my art class.

Foliage Frottage
Derwent Aquatone Pencils
Cartridge Paper

Sunday, 19th October 2014 - Bramley, Red Apple, Crabs, Russet and more Crabs

Brett has spent the day working on Little Holt - we have more walls, insulation and plasterboard.

I was gardening - thank you Mum for the wallflowers and sorting out the hundreds of apples that we picked last week at Hallwood Farm.

Bramley, Red Apple, Crabs, Russet and more Crabs
Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Saturday, 18th October 2014 - Sticker Entertainment

I am watching a rather frightening Dr Who (all alone) while blogging so excuse any mistakes.

Great Grandma came by taxi this morning to Benenden. After a mug of tea with sweeteners, Harriet, Hetty, Bella and I took Great Grandma to Tenterden. Hetty is now the owner of some lovely furry lined red boots, we played at the park in the sun, had lunch at Cafe Rouge - very very very slow service and the little girls held out very patiently.

I took Mum home - she is very fit and able. The new McCarthy and Stone homes in Cranbrook will be perfect for her. She just has to be very brave and move. We took a drive-by so she could have an idea of where they were. I think she liked it.

I came home to find my dinner ready for me pie and bread and butter pudding with cream. Thank you so much my gorgeous Harriet.

Brett is making great strides with their new home. The rot in the floor is not nearly as bad as it first looked.

I am missing Tom. He is missing his nieces. Only ten weeks until Christmas when we hope we will all be together.

Sticker Entertainment
Pen
HP Watercolour Paper

Friday, 17th October 2014 - Spring Preparations

Tim is spending the weekend in Atlanta - I hope the Ebola restrictions do not hinder his travel.

It is quite odd today. I have no Tom, he is a week into his new job and seems to be taking it to a duck to water - well done my gorgeous boy. I have no guests - so loads of spare time. No Tim - already mentioned. All very very quiet here at The Holt - 14 years of occupancy today.

I found a delivery note from yesterday on our doormat. A parcel had been left 'by the back door under all the plumbing paraphernalia' I had been informed. It was a box of spring bulbs. My sweet peas I planted two weeks ago have started to emerge. They will need lots of trimming.

Spring Preparations
Watercolour

Thursday, 16th October 2014 - Hetty and Bella

No guests last night meant my eyes opened voluntarily rather than being forced by an alarm.

I headed over to Canterbury where I spent a rather wonderful afternoon and evening with The Evans'. The streets of Canterbury provided much entertainment for Bella who was closely followed by Hetty, in and out of shop doorways, peering into windows and round and round the bollards. It was my idea that we took the girls into Primark which was an experience. Harriet did tell me she does not take the girls shopping - very sensible. They got everywhere very quickly for such small people. At least Bella is still portable when she is having a paddy.

This evening Harriet and I went kitchen sink shopping - very disappointing lack of suitable sinks but we had a lovely time in Asda without having to worry about little ones. Small things and great pleasures. We talked about Harriet's ideas for her future art - very exciting for her and us.

Back home to watch the ever increasing Ebola outbreak on the news - how will that one turn out I wonder? Horrid virus.

Hetty putting her pocket money from Grandma in her piggy bank

Hetty

Pen with Watercolour

Watercolour Paper

Bella loves her animals and spends a lot of time carrying as many as possible from table to floor to table. I suggested she put them in a bag. Obviously a silly suggestion by her adamant 'No".

Bella

Pen with watercolour

Watercolour Paper

Wednesday, 15th October 2014 - Seed Revival

Sold this painting to my lovely guests.

This afternoon it drizzled on me while I was weeding. Thompson and Morgan have sent me six Angel's Fishing Rods. I will overwinter them in the greenhouse in readiness for the Spring. While I was preparing the greenhouse I found a Huckleberry plant had grown. Odd as Sarah gave me the seed in April at least two years ago. Maybe enough to make a little pot of jelly.

Seed Revival
Inktense Pencils
220lb watercolour paper

Tuesday, 14th October 2014 - To be connected...

I should have drawn the coffee and cinnamon bun I had with Pippa in Cocolicious this morning but I had eaten the bun and drunk the coffee before it had even crossed my mind....

....... so you have a delightful painting of the shower pump that Tim is installing while I blog. I am hoping he can remove the air lock or it will be back to showering in the room with no ceiling for walls tomorrow morning.

To be connected ...
Pen with Watercolour
220lb Paper

Monday, 13th October 2014 - Then There was Light

....and it rained all night. Which was a short one. Tim was up at 4am ish with an idea for his Technical Symposium. The light was on - and you know what I am like about light at night. Luckily I managed to sneak in a doze this afternoon.

The works on the house are coming along. More plumbing today and not a leak in sight. Excellent. I had my bucket ready just in case.

This evening I went to my art class. We are experimenting with Frottage (you can look it up too, I had to). I did not think I was going to enjoy it but had a great time. It was large and expressive. And got the expected comments from Tim - he really has no understanding sometimes.

Frottage
Graphite Pencil
A2 Cartridge Paper

Tom has had his first day at work (name the company Tom please?). We are very proud parents and he seems to think it will all be good. Well done my lovely. Still miss you. I am having to drink alone!!!

Our showering facilities are interesting at present. We have a shower but the ceiling and walls have been removed ready for new ones to go in. I mentioned to Tim is was a little unpleasant showering in the dark in the morning. I now have light!!!

Then There was Light
Quink Ink
Recycled Card

Sunday, 12th October 2014 - Just Add Breakfast

Once the clouds started to rain they did not stop. A very wet day.

James Blunt helped me through my cleaning procedures. Strictly Come Dancing accompanied me while I ironed.

I made some flapjacks that ended up a bit biscuit like but the guests enjoyed them.

A bit of a quite day here at The Holt.

We are watching Spiderman III - I do quite like his evil black side.

Just Add Breakfast
Pen with Watercolour
Recycled Card

Saturday, 11th October 2014 - Apple Pickers

What a lovely day.

It started with pretty torrential rain that followed us to the Apple Fayre in Cranbrook. I fine display of dancing was put on by the Weald of Kent Morris. I met Sarah - she was my downfall - the toffee apple cider was good, the No 23 was very tasty and Biddenden cider was excellent.

This afternoon we spent a merry time picking apples with Nigel, Sarah, Harriet, Hetty and Bella at Hallwood Farm. Harriet and I screamed like girls as Nigel sped us along the muddy tracks with us perched on the back of his truck, Hetty and Bella were on too and took the ride very calmly. We had so many apples we could not fit them in the car with all the family and had to return later for a couple of beers/wine to collect our foray.

An enjoyable evening spent watching Dr Who accompanied by a delicious mushroom and goats cheese risotto Harriet had made and left in my fridge. Yummy.

Apple Pickers

Pen with watercolour

Recycled Card

Friday, 10th October 2014 - Chilli Plant

I have had a domestic day.

This was a present from Pippa.

Chilli Plant

Pen, Watercolour and Inktense Pencils

Recycled Card

Thursday, 9th October 2014 - Just a Pair of Timberlands

Tom has left home again. I think this time permanently. I wept a little while he was packing up a huge van with his bed, wardrobe and decks. I cried a lot as he left and quite a bit after. I am in control now.

I wish him the very best of times in Birmingham with work, rest and play - I hope in that order.

He did leave me a reminder...

Just a Pair of Timberlands
Pen and Watercolour
Recycled Paper