Spring flowers in Amsterdam.

Nimrod

We keep hearing Nimrod being played - this is what we signed the register to at our wedding so I really want to dig it out and listen to it at home.

This week...

I've had a very annoying cough - I think it is finally slowing down. My husband says he is fed up with it!!!

I did a Spring Fair on Saturday which was a bit quiet but it was a lovely event - met some very nice people and bought some yummy cupcakes. In the afternoon we walked at Lowsonford with some friends which was lovely - it was a gorgeous day - we walked along the canal then stopped for a drink at The Crab Mill, Preston Bagot. On the way back along the road we stopped in to look at a church and a local chap (who was there to lock up) told us about the fabulous stained glass windows - Burne Jones - saved from a church that was destroyed by fire in Birmingham. Such a beautiful church with awesome views.
At night Mike and I had fish and chips - very nice and just lazed about. I had a bath and went to bed early with my book - Second Honeymoon by Joanna Trollope - I bought the wrong book - it was meant to be Anita Shreve's Second Honeymoon. The book is ok although the main character, Edie , is a pain of a woman so I'll be glad to finish it and get shot of her!
Went to church yesterday and although it was quiet (was everyone visiting their mothers?) it was a great service and we had good chats with people. (With PJ about Canada, China and NZ)
Afterwards we unexpectedly had lunch at Blooms where we had gone to buy veg seeds.

Today I am working finishing some orders and mailing some new supplements out. Also I am making lemon curd and dusting the conservatory and bedroom. Tomorrow I go to Glasgow and then when I am back we have visitors so I want to prepare for that before I go.

Concert

Last night we went to a fantastic concert at the Arts Centre - Elgar & Mahler - I thought I'd be so tired I would struggle to stay awake but it was just brilliant and I loved every minute of it.

Today I've had a mad day with work, making up lots of orders and trying to get events booked. Am going to keep working tonight but will watch a DVD too.

So back to this Saturday...

as I said, I'm taking it easy and going for a little sleep. We have friends coming over tonight which will be lovely.

My husband bought me a little treat this morning...I'm afraid to say it's long gone but here's a picture of it.

The final day in Amsterdam...

was a little tough as we were both not feeling so well. Mike had a cold before we went and mine started while we were there. However we made the best of it and went to the Van Gogh museum which we enjoyed and then another canal trip and some walking.

On the Sunday...

We got up as early as possible and went to Anne Frank's house. This was very moving. I had read the book as a child and then also saw the play in Canada a few years back and so I couldn't believe that I actually stood in Anne's bedroom.
We had lunch afterwards in their cafe - cassis - very Dutch apparently "nobody English ever has this..." I didn't mention I was Scottish but that may explain it?! Also the most glorious tomato soup - chunks of fresh tomato, short noodles and fresh herbs liberally scattered - wonderful. Then we walked some more canals, saw the flower market, enjoyed waffles, cherry compote and ice cream in our little cafe and then went to the hotel before heading back to Il Palio (the same restaurant as we went the previous night) This time followed by a trip to Ben & Jerry's!

So, Amsterdam...

We had a fab weekend away last weekend. Arrived very early Sat morning and got straight to the hotel to check in, shower and have a snooze! Then to the Rijksmuseum as we only stayed round the corner which was great.
Saw Vermeer (The Kitchen Maid) and Rembrandt (The Night Watch) - also Henry Anvercamp which was amusing.
Lunch outside at the little cafe that we liked.
In the afternoon our first canal cruise then a good walk along the Prinsengracht which became my favourite canal - well, it did have the Tulip Museum on it! Bought some paper whites - can't wait to plant.

Better....

It's Saturday and I am feeling heaps better but taking it easy as I worked last night and it was a late one. This just means I am working indoors today, getting ready for next week and making up orders.

It's gorgeous here today - blue skies and sunshine.

Here are the daffodils that I got given this week.

Lurgy :o(

Am not a happy bunny as I have been feeling rough this week. It started properly on Monday in Amsterdam and then Tuesday and Wednesday were particularly miserable so I've missed out on work events too which is not good.

Haven't even downloaded my Amsterdam pics - will post about that soon.

Oh well, at least it's a sunny Friday morning and I was given a gorgeous bunch (or 3) of daffodils with lovely double ruffle centres. Very cheering!

It's my birthday!!

Today 2nd March is my birthday. I've had a lovely morning, fresh coffee first thing sitting in the conservatory, reading my book, answering the phone to friends and family, watching a robin and a wren in the garden and looking at a perfect blue sky.

After a little while I've gotten around to doing some prep work for tonight. Well, I am working all evening so a little "me" time on my birthday must surely be allowed?! Very relaxing.

I am pretty much packed but Mike still has to add his things to the case. I'm debating about which coat to take - smart wool coat with no hood or big warm cream baby cord coat with hood??? Also do I swap my handbag (which only matches the cream coat) for a brown leather duffel bag? Would fit lots more in, and would match the other coat better....hmmm...decisions...what's a girl to do?

Lovely presents from the in-laws including DVDs - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Portrait of A Lady - can't wait to watch them! - I'm almost tempted to take my mini DVD player away with me but no, I will wait to watch them when back home.

Well, it's time to make some sweet potato soup for a late lunch.

Working...

Been busy sorting stock out as I'm getting ready to have a stall at 4 Pamper/Indulgence nights over the next week which is pretty hectic for me. Looking forward to it though and just hoping I can find all the places ok.
The cat from the end of the road is in with me right now. He came running to the door as soon as I parked the car - he knows I am a soft touch!
Went to market today and bought 2 sweet potatoes, 2lbs of jersey potatoes, 1lb of Lincolnshire potatoes, 1 head of broccoli, 1lb of flat mushrooms, 5 parsnips, a celeriac and 2 leeks all for £9.60 which is pretty good and will keep us going for over a week now, especially as we are away at the weekend.
Tonight I am going to make a pie with chicken leeks and mushroom and topped with potato - like a shepherd's pie.
Tonight I am going to start packing as tomorrow will be busy. We're off to Amsterdam on Saturday - our first trip abroad together! Looking forward to it as I haven't been there since I was a child. The bulb fields may not yet be open to the public, we'll see. Hoping to do the Van Gogh museum and Anne Frank's house at least.