Goodbye dearest Nana ♥

My lovely Nana died on  Saturday 19th March, she was 83 years old.  It was expected, as she had been very ill and in hospital for some weeks before, but she came home a few days before she died. Nonetheless it was still very sudden, sad and emotional.
She was my last remaining grandparent, and the last of her generation, so it feels very strange, that there won't be any old folks in my life any more..

My grandparents have been such a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember, I talked about this in a blog last spring here  strangely a year to the day that I posted that blog, that was the last time I saw her. I can't imagine not ever being able to go and visit either of them again, My grandad died 8 years ago, so the house must be so empty, now she has gone too.

So it is with great sadness I make my way to the house for the last time tomorrow for the funeral , it's going to be so emotional, I will need plenty of tissues, my mum has seen to it that she has the send off that she wanted.

My grandparents were childhood sweethearts, and at the end of the service they're song 'Always' by  Harry Nilsson will be played.

I made my own flowers for her today, in her favorite colours, and I felt so sad that this will be the very last thing I ever do for her :(

I hope she approves, always thrifty she never wasted money and loved a bargain, she will be pleased that I didn't line a florists pocket {these wreaths can cost up to £75} and my own love and thought went into it..

She loved her garden so much and had  requested  that it be kept up until the house was sold. The though of it going to wrack and ruin upset her deeply. I will take whatever I can, and keep it alive in my garden.

I already have lots of her treasures to remember her by, as in last years post I mentioned she was always giving me stuff every time I visited her. These things are a great comfort to have, and will be handed down to future generations in my family, namely girls!  But most of all  my head will always be filled with happy memories of her and my grandad , throughout my childhood and a big part of my adulthood, I'm so grateful to have been blessed with that.

Treasure your grandparents while you have them, they are precious and there is much you can learn from them.

Thank you so much  Nana, till we meet again... RIP XX

Spring wreath

Blossom and blue skies...

What a gorgeous week its been here in the South East, so much sunshine, has put a spring back in my step.

Little daughter and I marvel at the leaves getting bigger  in the hedgerows on the way to school, in the mornings, and these gorgeous Cherry tree blossoms lining the school gates in the mornings, as well as an abundance of rosemary, which smells so aromatic when we brush past it.  We play spot the Forsythias on each side of the road, S always wins of course! she calls them Vasyhthia, oh well she's on the right track to knowing her plant names....

School walk

This other little tree is just outside the nursery doors, in the children's play yard, it still has its Christmas baubles, they glitter and twinkle in the sun...

Christmas Cherry

We could smell freshly cut grass too, such a wonderful hit, that first whiff of proper spring makes you yearn for the summer days ahead. Little S has been drawing hearts and spring flowers, I thought this was a pretty good tulip , considering she is still 3!

Spring doodles

I am still enjoying the flourish from my pink orchid, on its 3rd year now, so beautiful and  intricate the detail in these flowers, I think they look like an alien species, all clones!

Even got some washing hung out this week, such simple pleasures, watching my curtains billowing away, in the strong winds we had yesterday.

First line dry of the year

So with these warmer days, lighter days ahead of us, I need to come out of my slothdom, and get out more, walking, gardening {can't wait to get out to clear my garden} I don't go out much in the winter, unless I have too.

Need to shift some of the winter weight too :O It is much easier in the warmer weather, I will no longer be craving typical winter comfort foods. BBQ's salads and more salads all the way for me! Bring it on!

Do have a  happy, sunny weekend wherever you are :)

Old Rye Town

I get transported  back in time when I visit this charming old town...


The Mint



Crooked houses and streets...






Antiques centre

Old Bell pub

Pottering around the antique shops, old fashioned sweet jar shops,{real memories of childhood in those jars}

Colourful window display

Art works, kitchen and pottery shops, cosy candlelit restaurants, beautiful churches..

Love this local's artwork

 Strolling along it's quaint cobbled streets,  relaxing with a nice glass of wine, by cosy pub fires in deep winter, or sitting sheltered under the gnarled and twisted Wisteria outside the Old Bell pub on a balmy evening in midsummer...





Beautiful church

Cosy pub fire

 






Proper bakers -Simon the Pieman

Valentines steak dinner

B and I went two weeks ago for Valentines day, it wasn't  planned that way, but was nice all the same to have a child free day and night. Nice? it was BLISS! To do what you want when you want, I forget the feeling of freedom, as I have 3 year old in tow 24/7.



I have been in all weathers, and its my secret romantic hidey hole, and I will revisit again and again...


As I was away for valentines day, daughter and I made these as a belated marker the following day

Happy hearts

                                       Happy times!