A Wonderful Wedding.

One of my sisters tied the knot last weekend.

Here she is getting ready..

Admiring family as she comes downstairs....

Proud brother to give her away in the absence of our lovely dad...

Giggling bridesmaids....

My own handsome pair of James Bond lookalikes...

The grooms carriage....

 ....which actually broke down enroute to the church and had to be pushed to the nearest garage for a jump start. It couldn't have been better scripted in an episode of only fools and horses!

The happy couple....

The sun shone, the wine flowed, we danced our socks off...

shared a few secrets...

and generally had a ball...

I love weddings, such joyous occasions and most of the family gathered. All the more poignant as Mum and Dad are no longer here. I suppose the next weddings will be the next generation, ( we have 20 children between us!) And we will be the dowagers.

Bring it on I say.

Catch Up

Time flies when you are having fun as they say.

Egg Hunt.....

More knitting from stash, a cardigan started for the girl on the right 7 and a half years ago when the girl on the left (wearing said cardigan,) was only approx 4 months old.....

And a wonderful hen weekend celebration at centre parcs for sisters forthcoming wedding....

I am the one behind the camera!!!!

Gaudia Paschalia.

He is risen.

Alleluia!

This Baby....

.....my smiling, blonde, blue eyed boy, is now a handsome 9 year old.

Where did that time go?

When I was pregnant, with three girls already, I was hoping for a fourth. I could not imagine having a boy. Well, we had an abundance of girl toys and girl clothes. We were well versed in girl habits and likes and dislikes. We were well and truly in girl mode.

So when he was actually born, I was overwhelmed with the force of my feelings about him. I wrote in my diary at the time that "he is an undemanding happy baby. I am consumed with a passion for him. I am intoxicated by the aroma of his skin. I want to envelop him, drink him into myself so as to hold these moments forever. I am blissfully happy."

And now he is a quiet, gentle boy, with a  wonderful sense of humour.

Gabriel, my own sweet angel.

Epiphany

Today is the feast of the Epiphany and marks the end of the Christmas celebrations.

As children, this would be the day we took down the decorations and dismantled the crib.

For the last few years we have created a largish stable scenario outside our front window made from old pallets and a couple of old calf hurdles from my dads farm. The figures are rudimentary shapes from chicken wire. The donkey is a hobby horse.

Passersby have stopped to admire it.

Anyway, the Epiphany is an excuse for one last feast in my book!

So a Happy Feast Day to you all.

Party Time

We had a right royal get together on Saturday. There was food (lots of it)...

family  (45 in total)...

these are 3 of my lovely sisters.

and lots of fun despite the rain.

This is me above in true Ma Larkin style wearing my favourite pinny and supping some rather tasty vintage cider. My brother-in-law is the most appreciative pudding taster ever!

Another bro-in-law runs a rather posh gentlmens clothes shop and is always immaculately turned out. He kindly passes on his shirts to my hubby who wears them all till the death, usually of the collar first. I have saved these shirts and have now put them to good use as bunting (with the odd pair of pyjamas thrown in for good measure) So forget Kath Kidston, my bunting is Armani, Haines and Bonner, Aquascutum and Ted Baker to name but a few!

 We had a good coincidental reason to celebrate as one of my Dads donkeys, Ruby, produced this gorgeous little creature on Friday....

It's hard to believe she is only a day old here as she looks so tall next to her mum.
She is called Octavia, in memory of our very first donkey 40 years ago.
The original Octavia was the most placid donkey you could ever meet. It was impossible to contain her though, she should have been called Houdini. She could escape from anywhere and consequently spent her life wandering around the parish but always came home.
It is said you never see a donkey die, and when her time came a few years ago, my dad sat up all night with her in the stable as she neared her end. At 5 am he went into the house to brew a pint of tea as it would soon be milking time (he's a dairy farmer.) When he returned a few minutes later, she had gone.
I have many happy memories of days spent with that donkey.

May

Sweet, masking May, in white or red

Her snowy cloud of blossoms spread.

(Walter Crane: Floras Feast.)

Hawthorn in full bloom resembles a bride don't you think?

I love it and it's pungent aroma. It's OK to deck your maypole or if you are a milkmaid hang a garland on the horns of your cow but never bring it indoors or bad luck will befall you.

I wish we still honoured some of the old traditions. It must have been so exciting preparing for a celebration and a feast.

How about a glass of May Liqueur?

May blossoms

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 bottle brandy

Gather the blossoms in full sun, trim stalks, use only flowerheads.

Pack in wide necked jars, sprinkle on sugar and add brandy.

Seal and leave in a sunny spot till warm.

Shake to dissolve sugar then leave in dark cupboard for 3 months.

Strain and leave for a further 4-6 months before drinking.

Do let me know if you try this!

Anyway, the hawthorn is not yet in bloom in cool East Lancashire. However, a few days spring rain after a remarkably dry April has dramatically altered our view here in the hills....

Here's to lots of sunshine and blossom and happiness on high days and holidays.

St. George

Good old St. George, believed to be a Roman Christian from Cappadocia, when travelling across Libya in the 3rd century, came upon a town being terrorised by a dragon. In order to save their sheep, the townsfolk offered up their maidens to the dragon instead (big of them eh!) However, George arrived in time to save the kings daughter,Cleodolinda, from the jaws of the dragon and in honour, the town converted to Christianity.

Imagine being this patriotic.....

Now that's what I call a brave man!

St George he was for England,
And, before he killed the dragon,
He drank a pint of English ale
Out of an English flagon.
G.K.Chesterton.

Happy St. George's Day.

Happy Birthday

Today, one of my very few bestest friends is 70. We worked together as community midwives till she retired 10 years ago. We had lots of fun times and giggles (and a few moans too.) We took to each other immediately and made a great team. They were probably the best days of my working life so far.

She is a warm, funny, kind and compassionate person.

 And she has hardly any grey hairs at all. Lucky devil!

She loves chocolate cake so we made this for her this morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEANNIE MAC.

Thanks for being my very special friend.

We love you!!