Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale

It's a week until Christmas and at least my house has been decorated for a while now.  Just don't ask about the Christmas shopping!!

I thought I'd give you a glimpse inside our home, but do bear in mind these are just photos from my iphone and it's a really old iphone at that.  I do try and grab Alan's slightly more advanced one so that the photos are marginally better, but they will never come up to the standard of those blogs where the photos are verging on professional.  To be honest I think you are either a camera person or not and surprise surprise I'm not.  There are very few photos of the life of  'the Evans' pre-iphone as I rarely took a camera with me.  If I did remember to take my camera then I didn't remember to take photos.  Or if I did remember to take photos then I usually forgot to print them.  Of course most of my life was pre-digital let alone pre-iphone.  Confession.  I have 20 films undeveloped from when we spent a year in America in 1992/3.  How bad is that.

So please sit back, scroll through our Christmas home and enjoy. x

Our Christmas tree in the front room.  Thank you to my before mentioned trip to America that started me collecting Christmas tree ornaments and also buying my girls an ornament each year so they would have the start of their own collection when they left home.  Hollie loved it this year, as she was able to decorate her own tree.

 

I love this fireplace in the winter.

 

 

Angels feature a lot in my decorating.

 

 

My back room (den). 

 

Alan bought me this in Mexico.  It is a wonderful fishbone nativity and we love it.   After all it's what it's all about - Jesus the reason for the season.

 

 

 American Angel.

I love these words on the top of a mirror in my backroom.  I say a mirror, because the wall is covered in different ones.

 My new baubles.  Thank you friend.

My second Christmas tree in the backroom is all white, glass and silver.

 

I was very pleased with my wreath on my door, as I made it myself.  That was until the washing machine man took it off to deliver the new washing machine (disaster that the old one broke just before Christmas) and kind of squashed it out of shape!

 

And finally...........

 I made this Christmas tree myself with wood

from my old dining chairs and bits of old jewellery and I love it.

The almost forgotten post until I remembered.

Not quite sure what happened to October and November in the blogging world.  They certainly came and went in my blogosphere.  I'm not even sure I read anyone else's blogs either.  Although that's not altogether true as I do have in my possession, well on my iphone actually, a number of odd snippets and even one attempted blog so forgive me if I at least put that one up here.  It's out of date now, but just imagine you, like me, haven't been reading blogs for the last couple of months so you're having a good old catch up session.

Here goes.

So it's the end of 'Desire Under the Elm's, but despair not as Hannah has been overlapping rehearsing for her next job.  There is probably a proper acting word for that, but I have no idea and the likelihood is neither will you, so 'overlapping' will do.  Basically she's been rehearsing during the day and then in the show at night.  Lots of hard work but hey it's what she's signed up to do, so no sympathy from me.  At least she avoids that weird 'come down' that I'm sure happens at the finish of a show.  I bet there's a word for that too!  She came home the other day with 'sitzprobe'.  Had never heard of it, so after nodding enthusiastically and total pretence that I knew what she was talking about, I went and looked it up.  Sitzprobe n. a first rough rehearsal of an opera or musical stage play with singers and musicians, but without acting, scenery or costumes.  Apparently. Thank you google and A Way With Words.  I have digressed . Where was I?  Ah, yes, next job! 

She has indeed a next job, Cinderella.  A pantomime.  Which will immediately confuse any American readers and I believe there are a few, as they really don't have the equivalent over the pond and will right now be thinking painted white faces, gloves and mime.  Oh no it isn't.  Which right there is humour which will bypass you guys as this is all part of Pantoworld where many families visit over the Christmas period.  It's a world where men dress up as women and girls dress up as boy's (no it's not Shakespeare but it is as British!) and the audience shout at the cast and the cast shouts back.  Where there is thigh slapping, sweet chucking (that's going to really confuse the Americans), custard pie throwing and lots and lots of laughter.  It's usually a fairy tale and there is often famous people as the main characters.  Do you know what, just do what I do and nod enthusiastically, then go and google it.  Better still come and stay over one Christmas and experience it for yourselves.  You won't know our famous people, understand the jokes or even know the lines the audience are allowed to shout but never mind.  It's British, so you'll love it!!!

Anyway all that just to say that Hannah is in one.  So she's happy and I get to keep on looking after Kai.  The pushy mum part of me (silence all those who wonder at the accuracy of this, as I hear you cry. "What! Alyson. Pushy mum?  Never.") is of course very happy too.

I had always intended to give my review of the play, Desire Under the Elms, and I must say how totally blown away by it I was.  In so many ways.  It's the kind of play that made me want to discuss it, lots.  And as I naturally want to discuss far too much in life, I would probably wear you down in my desire (yes I purposely chose that word) to work out, question, understand and basically bore you with my own opinion.  It's all completely subjective anyway and that's what makes reviews a bit lacking, as if you read enough of them you're bound to find one that you agree with.  The 'real' reviews were mainly very good.  With a few 5 stars, many 4 stars and a tiny sprinkling of 3 stars.

Simply, the set was wonderful in it's tiny, separated box/rooms.  A fragmented house for a fragmented family.  There was a stand out performance from Denise Gough playing Abby, for which she has rightly been nominated for awards.  The blue grass, slide guitar music thing (don't you love my terminology ) just added to the whole atmosphere and boy was there atmosphere.  I'm a bit of a sucker for that whole sound as it takes me back to the other country that I love so much.

Yep, that's her dancing right there.

I did get a teeny bit excited yesterday as Hannah brought home her costume which she had cheekily asked for and they kindly agreed to let her have.  So instead of sitting in their wardrobe taking up space for however long, just on the off chance that the same costume in that particular size was ever needed it will now sit in her wardrobe taking up space, just on the off chance that she might need it ever.  Fancy dress party anyone?  I am a bit soft when it comes to costumes as we still have all of hers from her dance shows and competitions.

Just in case!

Big week this week!

Hollie is moving out.  Not far.  Thankfully. Near enough for her to pop in, for us to pop in and for Kai to sleep over.  She moves in a flat with two of her lovely friends.  Mind you all of Hollie's friends are lovely.  I'm not sure what I should be feeling.  Obviously it is time for her to move out - London is so expensive and if you don't earn tons of money then moving out is hugely delayed compared to most 20 somethings - but  it rally is the end of an era.  Because her room will immediately (well after some decoration) be inhabited by Kai it's not like we'll have this spare room that will always still be referred to as 'Hollie's room' until she's married with umpteen children.  This means it's hard for her to come back.  Of course, she won't want to - this is it.  The final cut of the apron strings.  So as happy as I am for her, and for Kai to have his own bedroom, and for Hannah to have her own space, I'm also sad.  Here's what we'll miss and not miss!

Eggs in the morning. (Kai)
Guidance on whether our clothes combination works or not. (All of us)
Her clothes. (Hannah)
Her shoes. (Me)
Her mess (No one)

There really is too much to list so I'm going to stop and tell you what we're really going to miss.

HER PRESENCE!

Hollie we love you. (All of us)

The second big thing in our week is that Hannah is in a play which opens in a few days. Desire Under the Elms by Eugene O'Neill.  It runs from the 3rd October to the 10th November. It's an off West End production at the Lyric theatre in Hammersmith, with a great director and it has been a wonderful experience for her.  She's loved the rehearsals and learnt so much.  And we can't wait to see her in it.  She may only have a small part but it's a professional credit in another genre to add to her CV.  Onwards and upwards Hannah!  Break a leg (not)!

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. William Shakespeare, Hamlet

My life has become such that every text I write, every facebook comment I make, every invitation, every letter, every word I say I think over - because I am so scared of getting it wrong.  Of upsetting someone, anyone.  Of hurting them.  Of being misunderstood.  Right now I do very little because I'm frightened of who I might offend.  This grieves my heart.  I can't even publish this because you might get the wrong idea.

'A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you just the same.'

Friends come and friends go.  But there's nothing worse than when friendship is over before you're ready for it to be.  This can be in so many ways with the most obvious being between boyfriend and girlfriend.  Some good friends of mine have moved away this week to Scotland but that's not friendship over.  I have friends all over the world and just because I don't see them it doesn't mean they're not friends.  No.  I'm talking about something very different.  That gut wrenching feeling when you desperately still want to be friends but you know deep down the feeling isn't reciprocated.  It's dying, it's on it's way out, only somehow you weren't consulted and you're not quite ready.  Your time is spent thinking of what you can do to make it all OK because you're convinced it will be because you're friends aren't you?  And friends survive all sorts, don't they?  If only I can say this, do that, if they realised how much it hurt you, if we could just................... what?  That's just it.  You don't know what, because what won't work anymore, because the friendship is over.  At least as you knew it.  The emotions that accompany all this are terrid (yes terrible and horrid together!) and have to be worked through.  It's like a grief that really only time will help but it isn't time yet and you're so scared it never will be.    You've bored everyone else with it, you've even bored yourself.  And then, suddenly, one day, with no real warning and certainly without doing anything you wake up one morning and you know you're ready.

Ready to say goodbye.

There's an acceptance that it isn't working as a friendship and it probably hasn't been for a while.  You can't change what has happened and certainly the only person you can change is yourself, so you do what you need to do for yourself, to learn and to move on. That's the good thing, moving on.  There are new people out there, just waiting to be discovered and that's exciting if not a little bit frightening, but exciting all the same.

So, here's to new friends as well as to the old ones that still exist and the old ones that are no longer.  Each offering something special into your life so by the time the new ones are old you might just lose less and less friends because you actually are a much better person and therefore a much better friend.

"We all lose friends.. we lose them in death, to distance and over time. But even though they may be lost, hope is not. The key is to keep them in your heart, and when the time is right, you can pick up the friendship right where you left off. Even the lost find their way home when you leave the light on." Amy Marie Walz


“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C S Lewis

Always live like you're wearing an invisible crown.

I read that quote today and I liked it.  Sometimes Anonymous says the best things.  I'd really like to meet him or her one day.

There's a whole lot of furore going on in the news at the moment with regards to the publication of the photographs of Kate Middleton, sneakily taken of her sunbathing.  I'm sure she feels totally violated that someone would do that to her.  She probably wants to lock the door, stay inside away from what can sometimes be a horrid world especially if you're a Duchess and someone somewhere wants to shatter your world.  But she doesn't.  She can't.  Because she's a Duchess who will one day become Queen and as such she can rise above all of this and enjoy the privileges and meet the people who do love and respect her.

As a child of the King I'm a princess.  That can't be taken away from me because it was bestowed on me by the King himself.  No matter what the world will say or do I am His child and he loves me perfectly.  So today I want to remind myself to put on my invisible crown and go out there and enjoy!

Bold, Bonkers and Brilliant!

Oh my!  What a year this has been.  It seems like we have been celebrating continually.  Both Alan's and my mum's 80th Birthdays, the Queen's Jubilee, the Olympics in London, and this next week will be my parent's 60th wedding anniversary, but more of that in the future.  It hasn't all been whooping and hollering, but life never is and as Alan and I were chatting last night - no children or grandchildren around - we were very aware of it being such a transitional time in our life and we're anxious to know what God has for us in the future but for now we'll just have to wait and see and enjoy.

I am so happy that in the midst of all the things about myself that I don't like, and believe you me there are many, that God has made me someone who actually really celebrates life and grabs hold of it in it's fullness and laughs........... a lot!  And the last week in particular I have being revelling in the wonder of athletes, success, determination, bronze medals, silver medals and of course gold medals and my patriotism has swelled under the incredibleness (is that even a word?) of my beautiful city putting on what is without a doubt the best Olympics.  I'm sure people think I'm biased but the word out there from the rest of the world is that they are in agreement.  One of the greatest parts of these Olympics is our wonderful people.  The crowds are unbelievable, creating an exhilarating atmosphere, benefited mostly by our own Team GB athletes but in true British style we also take on many as our own - especially if they're super successful or just plain old underdog.

My pride for the city I live in has taken on stellar proportions and as a backdrop for these sporting events there is none like it.  What incredible pictures are being beamed around the world of London at it's best.  My own personal favourite is the beach volley ball being played 'just down the road from the Queen's house' in the middle of Horse Guards Parade.  Classic!  Ooh  I  do have to mention Hampton Court too, as part of the cycling events.  Stunning.  Shout out to my neighbour and good friend Tom who's company has been staging the road race, time trials and much more.  Bless him, he has hardly slept and for someone who loves sport so much, he's hardly been able to savour any of it.

Obviously I could go on and on as I am beside myself with excitement with regards to it all.  We've just come through Super Saturday,  What a day and what a night! My sister was there eek!  I can't wait to hear about the atmosphere from her.  It is often said that we are very good at the sitting down sports, and our rowing and cycling medals prove that, so to achieve 3 in one session in the track and field is beyond our wildest dreams. So here we are, after the first week, third in the medal tables, only trailing behind two enormous countries, with enormous populations and I love the fact that medal to population ratio would mean we were right there at the top of the table. Go Team GB!

As much as I love sport, closest to my heart has always been the theatrical and so I can't not talk about the opening ceremony.  The whole day I'd been in a state of anticipation and I was not let down.  As soon as I saw the 'green and pleasant land' scene the tears began to flow and they almost didn't stop.  I was crying, laughing, crying, laughing, and so it went on.  An emotional wreck by the end.  I've watched it 3 times already, downloaded the music and will talk about it to whoever will listen - so here is my summary of the night, I'll try to be quick!

Enamoured by the typical British countryside, it took my breath away - the animals made me ooh and aah and I totally recognised the maypole, the cricket match, the stone cottages, the Thomas Hardyesque costumes. The reminder that we are islands although Alan didn't get the blue cloth over the heads of spectators being water, not even when we could hear the world famous shipping forecast coming through the music.  Oh the music, the music..... don't digress Alyson.  Gasped at the number countdown, knew number 10 would be Downing Street, again these were all so familiar to me.  The films in between the sections were always going to be great, Danny Boyle is a film director after all and he didn't disappoint. The boy who started the singing wow - not a hint of nerves - fantastic.  The link between the countries: Ireland, Scotland and Wales then back to England  - you can't beat children's voices and certainly not those of the signing choir singing the National Anthem.  I've jumped again and I mustn't because without a doubt my favourite part of the whole evening was the move from the 'green and pleasant land' to the dark satanic mills of the industrial revolution.  Kenneth Branagh as Brunel was triumphant, the attention to detail in costumes was extraordinary, the drummers were somehow 'hot' as they moved to the beat of their drum, cringe I know but hey it had to be said. Loved the snippets of our history moving around the 'M25' special mentions to the suffragettes, including descendants of Emily Pankhurst, Windrush and the Chelsea pensioners and of course the silence in memory of those who died in the wars.  The culmination of this part of the 'show' with the forging of the Olympic rings was spectacular. 

And then we had James Bond and his new Bond girl - the Queen- showing that she really is a good sport.  There was that classic moment when you could see in Daniel Craig's face - I'm actually acting with the Queen and her corgis!  What great humour we Brits have.  And how much we love our National Health Service, feted in the next segment "second star to the right and straight on till morning".  The wonderful link between Peter Pan's creator J M Barrie and his support for the world famous children's hospital Great Ormond Street, real doctors and nurses, real patients, children doing black fips (Kai speak), the colours of the pyjamas, all of the Mary Poppins chasing away the nightmares of children's fiction. Delicious, all of it.  I'm not a great fan of Mr Bean, but a huge one of Chariots of Fire and for this night I thought he was hilarious.  This is Kai's favourite part and he loves to watch it again and again. 

Probably the segment celebrating the invention of the World Wide Web along with our second to none music industry was my least favourite but still I could be heard shouting out the songs as I recognised them along with the snippets of films and TV programmes.  This is for everyone and it really was.  Cue the athletes with party like atmosphere. Tea and toilet break.  The cheer for our team was just the forerunner for all the cheers that have since been heard throughout the Olympics, and Chris Hoy, holding our Union flag with just one hand, was a good choice. The memory wall was a special touch with a friend of mine's parents featuring as Danny Boyle had asked people who were attending to send in photos.  Words can hardly express the glorious Akram Khan's piece danced alongside the exquisite voice of Emeli Sande singing Abide With Me as a memorial to those lost in the London bombings.  American friends please try to see this as it was missed out totally in your hugely edited, for the sake of commercials, coverage.

Yey for David Beckham, Bradley Wiggins (first ever British winner of Tour de France), and at the time our greatest Olympian Steve Redgrave.  For Doreen Lawrence carrying the Olympic flag and for Muhammad Ali's part in that too.  I'm exhausted.  But want to just mention the fact that I thought it genius to allow the new generation of athletes to light the torch.  And what a torch.  Individual copper cauldrons for each country rising up spectacularly to form one flame.  It was a monumental success ending with the obligatory fireworks and a singsong with a real live Beatle.  All in all a great start to a great olympics.

I'm off to the stadium tomorrow to watch the athletes and to thoroughly enjoy the park and can't wait.....................................  will take photos and tell you about that eventually, but for now let's just enjoy the blood, sweat and tears (are there more tears than usual this year especially from the men?) that is the Olympics Games, 2012.

Proud mimi.

It's early in the morning.  Very early.  Hannah leaves at some ridiculous time for one of her jobs.  Each Monday and Friday, when she's around, she turns up at various green spaces to register ladies in an initiative from Nike - yes the one with the swoosh not a tick, as they quickly inform their employees - to get women exercising.  Before THEY go to work, so of course it's early.  Anyway - it wakes me when she leaves and I can't sleep.  

This particular morning I picked up Kai's report.  His progress report for Nursery.  It was laying on the table after we'd all read it and re-read it, discussed it, analysed it etc last night.  I'm always a touch cynical about reports as I realise there's a protocol for writing them and total honesty is not one of them.  I have memories of comparing my girls reports at certain stages and even with 3 years between them they were so similar in wording as 'set' phrases were used that it was hard to think that my children were actually as different as chalk and cheese.  But, last night and now this morning, I can't help but feel extremely proud of some of what's been written about my little man.  Here's some of the things that make me extra happy.


Kai is a bright and independently minded child who has been a pleasure to teach.

He is a popular boy with many friends.

Kai is able to share and take turns.

Kai can be extremely caring, looking after others who are upset.

Kai has excellent self care skills.

Kai is confident and intelligent enough to direct play and lead the games. 

Kai has good language skills.

Kai has well developed mathematical skills.

Kai is curious about and interested in the world around him.  He has an extremely questioning nature.

Kai has very good physical skills.

Kai will persevere in an action to master a skill.


As his mummy works, and as this little boy sleeps, his mimi thanks God for the blessing of this precious child.   When I found out my 17 year old girl was pregnant, a very very dear friend Kim Hagans said to me.  A child is always a blessing and never a consequence. 

Kim, you were so right.

Two Trips and One Pink Palace.

Wow!  It's pretty much been a month since I last posted on here.  Time is just flying by and I wish I could report that a multitude of important jobs have been carried out alongside tons of creativity, hence no blogging time, but that would be a great big fat lie.  Apart from the absolute essentials which have to get done otherwise my husband and children, much like the dog when he's hungry, would be pawing and whining around my legs.  Annoying enough to make me do the necessary.  I had dreamt of decorating my bedroom, which has been waiting for at least 2 years since Alan and I moved up there, but managed the bathroom. I had dreamt of crocheted blankets, patchwork lampshades, and bunting galore but managed to start two blankets and not finish either.  Remember those blogs which fed my envy but were also  supposed to excite and inspire me to greater things - well I'm still looking and the envy still exists but along with irritation that they manage to 'do' things whilst I manage to covet!


Mind you I have had 2 trips, to the Pink Palace in the last month which is excuse enough and makes me blessed beyond measure. The first one was me taking my mummy and daddy there for 5 days and the second, from which I have not long returned, was a holiday with the 2 best boys, Alan and Kai.  Both trips were good times, enjoyable in different ways.

The first was, in fact, a real first as I drove there and back, which is a miracle in itself. I've never driven more than 2 hours before - so to complete a 5 hour journey one way was empowering beyond measure.  So proud of myself for doing that one.  Proud especially because I managed to do this with my darling daddy  continually telling me when to overtake (which in his world is all of the time) for a good part of the journey. Still they had a wonderful holiday and the weather was not bad either, but that would be because the rain god Alan was nowhere around.  The locals have started asking Alan to stay away due to his ability to bring rain to Cornwall immediately he ventures over the county line.  Sure enough, this last week had rain every day.  It didn't stop us though - we just purchased a cheap sun (that's a joke), wind, and rain (more like it) beach shelter and we were made.  Kai couldn't resist the water every day and Alan had to be his constant companion.  Which basically meant I read a book.  Yayyyyyy!  Here's some photos - you'll notice there was a little bit of blue sky at times.

The boys rock pooling.

They got one! And here it is..........

Kai, of course couldn't resist going in. 

 They both then needed to dry off.  Yes there was some sun that day.

Only others can't have been expecting it as we were the only ones in the sea and on the beach. Notice Kai doesn't even have a wet suit. 

From then on the beach tent came into it's own. 

The wet suit became a regular feature.

And Alan's luminous jacket revealed itself once more.

See what I mean.  We WILL go to the beach and play!

And I will watch from under a towel!

It was fun and Kai was a star.  He only started missing his mummy on the 5 hour journey home.  "Aren't we there yet?"  On the minute, every minute, all of the way home!

Not just any old table.

I have been determined to reignite that part, deep inside of me, that not just loves to make things, but actually makes them!  Creative things.  That I like.  That hopefully other people like.  And even more importantly, so that the creative part, which I believe exists in everyone, is allowed to function. If you want to argue this, as many do, let me say that I believe this  because we're made in the image of God and He's the Creator.  I recognise however that being creative is probably far more profound in understanding than just 'I can paint' etc. Back to me though and I am convinced that when the 'creative me' is active, then 'me' becomes a little bit of a better 'me'.  So with that in mind I've been trying to work out a way in which I can have my sewing machine out permanently.  Having discussed all options with the gorgeous man we've created a space in the bedroom and now just need the right table to put the machine on.  The search is on.

Visits to the new Dunelm Mill, the old Ikea and the never heard of it Home Sense were non-productive in the table search, however finding out that Home Sense is indeed the T K Max home department all in it's own shop was a discovery in itself.  Will certainly go there again!  These trips though did also confirm that it was a second-hand table we wanted and not some new thing which I would be trying to make vintage anyway. That should have been fairly obvious really as most of our furniture has had another life before Evans.  So the usual scouring of second-hand shops, charity shops and reclamation yards followed.  There were possibilities but never quite right.  Until...... 

We ventured up the Uxbridge Road to Acton, as we were on our way into central London for a meet up with friends, and stopped at a little antique shop.  Alan was being very earnest in the search for the table and seemed to want it more than me, which made me realise how much he wanted creative Alyson back.  Or more likely he was just desperate for the better me!  I was not really convinced that this shop would offer anything and anyway weren't we on our way out, but I dutifully followed obsessed Alan into the shop.  And there it was.  The table.  A cute table.  Something about it shouted out "I'm the table of your dreams and look what I do".   It folded up. It was old AND it folded up.  Now this might not excite you but I was immediately taken to my pretty garden, about to have tea with friends and me opening up this wonderful piece of furniture which had the ability to take me to other places, in my dreams.  Serving teas on croquet lawns, in floaty 1920's dresses was exactly what this table said to me.  It did not however say, I'll be perfect for your sewing machine.  I stroked the table, you know how wood makes you do that.  I looked at it longingly.  Before I could stop myself I had spoken out loud just how much I loved this table.  This wasn't a problem except I knew, deep in my heart, that this wasn't sturdy enough for the purpose we were buying it for.  I then did something that I rarely do and I'm not sure why I did at that moment, but I told Alan it would be no good and pointed to a slightly more practical table and declared it to be a better buy.  Realising what I'd done I cheekily asked the seller how much for the two tables - greedy  I know but I was chancing it - not with the seller but with Alan.  His immediate look of horror forced my hand and I declared, again, whilst stroking the original table, that the other one was better and to buy it now, immediately.  Quickly.  Before I changed my mind.  Alan stood there.  By the second table.  The seller stood there.  He didn't quite have his hand out for the money but he was waiting.  Another customer, sat there.  On an antique chair, happily watching this all played out in front of her.  She was amused.  I could tell.  "Go on then.  Buy it".  I knew it.  He couldn't.  Because Alan had fallen in love with my table too.  I could see it in his face.  I could tell by his total lack of putting his hand in his pocket.  I could see where he was looking.  If he'd have been standing with me - he'd have been stroking the table too.  I turned to the lovely lady, sitting down and whispered to her.  "I'll just get this one - we'll soon find out it's not suitable and then we'll have to get another table and I can serve tea in the garden with this one". To Alan I said "ok, let's buy this.  I love it. You love it.  Let's get it".  Alan assured me he could make it more sturdy and I just smiled at him and winked at the lady. 

Off we went, with our 'folded up' table in hand.  So excited was I about my table that as soon as we met our friends I pulled it out to show them.  As I opened it up, a hinge fell off.   So I shut it quickly so Alan wouldn't know.  Well not quite at that moment - he would of course know when he set to work to make it more sturdy. 

He's done that now, and my sewing machine is on it, in my bedroom and I think it may well work.   Good job really, as my dreams of the grand gesture of opening and closing up my antique table in order to beautifully serve tea have taken a back seat, because the one thing Alan said the table couldn't survive was being opened and closed too often.  Maybe Alan knew what he was doing all along.

Jubilee

What a great weekend it's been.  It's been a great start to the Queens Diamond Jubilee and I've been thoroughly enjoying it.  But before I fill you in with what I've been doing to celebrate we've had some cause for our own celebrations.

This evening we found out that Hannah had been offered a job.  After having her very first singing audition - she was offered the part of 'Belinda' in a children's touring show, called The Wheels on the Bus.  This is fantastic news and is her first paid professional job.  What is great about it is that although it's a tour (something we thought she wouldn't be able to do because of Kai) it's only a couple of nights each week - usually over the weekend.  I am so thankful to God for the 'start' of her career.  He is faithful.  Here she is with her two other co-stars,  after their first performance.





So back to our Jubilee celebrations.  Yesterday we had a street party, which was so much fun.  What great neighbours we have.  We were blessed with the weather too, although it rained in the morning - the afternoon of the party the sun broke out and we sat out, eating, talking, eating, laughing, eating and then going round each other's houses, collecting various parts of house envy along the way.  Here are some photos of our lovely day.

This morning we set off, with great anticipation, to go and see the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant.  I'd love to share photos of hundreds of boats going past, including the wonderful Royal Barge but you're going to have to rely on news blogs for those.  We settled down opposite the National Theatre on the other side of the river feeling fairly positive as we could see the river through the people in front of us, but by the time the Queen travelled by, even with my wonderful step (bought by my more wonderful friend Nicki) I could see nothing.  The atmosphere was great though, once we'd got over the bug that millions of people had pushed in, and what was lovely was the general camaraderie between fellow watchers as we clung on to each other desperately trying to get a glimpse of something.  This was the closest I got to the Queen.  Slightly scary!!!!

Alan had to carry Kai on his shoulders for most of the day - and the wait became too much for him.  

What you can't see is that he is resting his head on Alan's head - not the most comfortable of pillows, but it didn't stop him.  He did wake up in time for the queen to go by and amused us by shouting at the top of his voice "long live the Queen".    It was a good occasion and I have to say I love the pageantry, flags, and the fantastic atmosphere in London.  I count myself very lucky to live in this wonderful city.  We have 2 more days of celebration to look forward to.  Can't wait.