Due to the mild winter and the growing of lettuces in a big old tin bath in my greenhouse I was able to pick this nice assortment of leaves the other day. I am a big fan of Alys Fowler and at the moment am reading her book. " The Thrifty Forager" It has the best introduction. Which I'm sure you'll agree that in these times of austerity needs must I think!

" Darling I have something to admit I've been lying to you Every time I've served you up Spinach, be it in soups, pies or risotto. I've actually been feeding you wild things. You've had stinging nettles, dead nettles, purslanes and oraches. I've fed you fat hen, good King Henry and goosegrass. You've eaten dandelion and thistles. They've come from the side of the train tracks, along the river, in the parks and sometimes in my garden." "You've come back for seconds and had it the following day, so I guess you've liked some of it. Actually I think by now you must know that spinach is a pretty loose term in our kitchen. I hope you don't mind but I don't intend to start growing it anytime soon lots of love A"

So sweet!!

I bought these adorable little shoes from a charity shop some time ago and have kept them aside for a "special baby". I also found a lovely little skirt and some suede boots at the weekend. I also got this book from the library and am going to knit the little crossover cardigan. It was dark when I took the photograph, hence the atmospheric look

" Look Cool. Keep Warm. Wear Tweed "

So say the people at Liberty Freedom. I am in love with this coat, I wish it was mine!!

Urban walk

We went for a walk around this area of Nottingham called "The Park Estate". It is a very nice area with lovely houses and wide avenues and crescents. There are some more modern houses which are very well designed and sit well next to the existing architecture. These are a few resource photos I took for a workshop I am doing soon with an after school club. We are working with an architect on a design project. I am looking forward to it

:-} 2012 {-:

Wishing you all the very best for 2012. I hope you have nice things to look forward to and have made some good resolutions. I have 2 events in April which are causing me much excitement - a friend's wedding and my brother is going to be a dad. My sister and I spent the last couple of days in a girl whirl of shopping - not so much buying as trying. Looking at wedding outfit possibilities. Although she did purchase a large amount of wool and then we spent the rest of the evening surfing the wonderful worldwide web for suitable patterns to knit for wedding and baby! At the moment I am consumed by the thought of wearing tweed, knitwear and lace for the wedding, no doubt I will change my mind as Spring progresses.......and the baby........we have been told it seems likely it is going to be a girl :-) Look what we found for starters ........

Rowan and laughing hens and again

Debbie Bliss, Zoe Mellor and Erika Knight 

Some festive sparkle

My sister has been here for a few days and we went out shopping