Eggs and Welsh Cakes

I took this photograph with the intention of not only sharing it with you, but putting it on the Emma Bridgewater Facebook page with the caption -

"Here in Wales we like Welsh Cakes with our eggs!"

It's not true of course, at least I have never eaten them together yet, but I thought it sufficiently startling for a caption and might possibly start a trend?

May I wish you a a Very Happy Easter and if you want to try some Welsh Cakes with your eggs, here is the recipe courtesy of the BBC!

Peep inside a favourite house

The design blogs have been all a twitter this week because Nicky Haslam's new book was published on 21st March.  It is called  "Folly de Grandeur: Romance and revival in an English country house" and can be obtained from Amazon - here is the link for the UK.

I love this house and over the years have seen it featured in many magazines both as the home of the legendary decorator, John Fowler and after his death, the country home of Nicky Haslam.  It was a real treat to spend a bitterly cold March day reading Nicky's witty words and drooling over the pictures.

Though Nicky is also a famous interior decorator he hasn't the iconic status of John Fowler though he extremely talented in so many fields, be it writing, painting, singing, cooking as well as the most dedicated party goer ever!  He knows everyone and has been to every party everywhere!

When he is tired of partying he comes to this delightful little house "The Hunting Lodge" which he describes as the prettiest house in England and he may well be right, because I can't think of one that is so distinctive and set in such beautiful surroundings.

If the house picture seems familiar, I did blog about the garden last year and shared a video with you!  Somewhere in my house I have a DVD tour of the house with Nicky pointing out lots of the things he now shares in the book - but I can't find it!!  So annoying!

The Tale of Three Teapots!

My love affair with Emma Bridgewater pottery has had a bit of a blip!  There was a special offer on a few weeks ago and I decided to order a teapot which I had been admiring for a while. The weather was cold and gloomy at the time and I had this fantasy of summer!   Though even in summer the weather is rarely just right for tea outside here in Wales, it's either too hot, too wet or too windy!

This is the sample used in the advertisement -

I was extremely disappointed when this turned up -

I didn't like the placement of the lettering and the decorator had been rather mean with the flowers. I deliberated about what to do!  These are personalised pieces and they don't usually replace them unless there is a flaw in the glaze that the inspection process has missed.  Eventually I decided to write to them and explain my disappointment and ask for a replacement. At first my request was refused but I persisted and this is the result -

Much better!  EB and I are friends again!  Lots of flowers and the placement of the lettering like the sample.  Now all we need is for it to warm up a bit and it will see some action!

This has nothing to do with teapots but a tag on!  I am looking for some vintage Laura Ashley border fabric to use on my Cottage Orne quilt.  I have sent out a plea on my other blog but thought it might help to put it here too.  If anyone has and can sell me some of this -

It was sold in a roll and I need 10 yards - I have tracked down about half at the moment.  Please leave a comment or message me on Facebook if you can help?  I would be so grateful!

St David's Day

It's St. David's Day today and I wish I could say that the sun is shining, but it's rather dull and cloudy at the moment!  There are no daffodils actually in bloom in my garden, but they are all ready to burst, it just needs to warm up a bit!

It's not a national holiday and it's really down to the school children to celebrate it.  In the morning the little ones go in national costume and there's some singing, dancing and other cultural activities and then they have the rest of the day off.

I thought I would share some old and new images and some Royal ones too -

I just love the last one - what a laid back orchestra!

This last one is a personal memory - one Friday morning, which happened to be St. David's Day, at the end of my embroidery class in Llandaff we walked through the village to the Cathedral Green and witnessed Princess Diana accompanying Prince William on his very first walk about!

He looks a bit apprehensive doesn't he?

Click on this link for a burst of Welsh song which should make all you ex pats out there dewy eyed!!