Saturday 3 October 2009

Sloe, sloe, pick, pick, sloe ... and repeat



BONKERS! That's the only word I can find to express how the past two weeks have felt! Not very eloquent I know but it's the word that comes to mind. A fortnight of highs and lows. Days of chasing my tail, dizzy from dithering followed by days of complete inertia, overwhelmed by what I've had on my list of things to do.



I think if the past 14 days were a game of snakes and ladders I probably would still be on the number one square having travelled down a fair few ladders along the way!



Anyway, enough. I don't even know if anyone will be reading this post. It seems as if I've been away for such a long time and have not visited any blogs that I can't really expect anyone to still be interested in mine. So many apologies - must, must try harder...



What I thought I'd do now is just share a moment or two of calm that happened last weekend. Last weekend when it still felt like summer instead of the sudden full stop to the season which we are experiencing today. Just when I needed to get out away from the computer and sewing machine most, Little Miss Sewrecycled called me to come out and play.



Off we went up to the Downs for a day of fun, frolics and sloe picking. Yes, the prospect of a winter without sloe gin was beginning to play on our minds.



Beautiful day, beautiful scenery and beautiful company, Just the tonic I needed. How good it was to be out enjoying the world. However... it was not to be, just as we started picking them sloes in earnest the Lovely SewRecycled had a call from school saying her gorgeous little boy was poorly. Quick dash home followed.



Not content with our pickings we decided the following morning to repeat the walk this time with all our families. So eight of us trooped up to the Downs, picnics in hand and lazed and picked and ate and laughed and played and walked and walked and walked. I hope these photos reflect just how beautiful the day was.



A sense of calm and escape came to us all and we returned home refreshed, sun kissed and relaxed. Thanks Sewrecycleds for such a lovely day x



The other thing I wanted to mention was that Milly and Dottie have gone into the construction business! Yes, that's right, we've been building in The Emporium . Not content with all the rooms we already had, we added an extension. We are now proud owners of a Parlour. After weeks of wallpapering, painting and dithering. We own a parlour and have sent out our first newsletter. If you fancy having a nose, please do, there's a chance to WIN SOME GOODIES! (if you want a little hint with regards to the answer .... let me just say that Dottie and I are very, very partial to custard creams).



Right I'm back off to the sewing machine, I promise not to leave it so long till the next post and I really am very sorry to not have visited you all recently. See you in the parlour ....
x

PS A huge, huge thank you to Emma and Dottie for being such luverly, supportive, kind & funny friends. xxx

23 comments:

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Bonkers is one of my favourite words and is much used in this household.
I think we both know how Bonkers life has been of late.. and you have my sympathies. Would you like to write my blog for me this week?

A walk on the wild side with Mrs Sew Recycled was a jolly good idea..
Let's take life in the Sloe lane next week.... oh sorry!
Dottie x

Piece by Piece said...

I have been reading your blog for awhile now, and today's in particular was interesting to me.
While living in Sussex, (we moved to Canada in 1957) I could see the S. Downs from my bedroom window. Had the opportunity to walk on them several times since then.
Love your photo's.
Some Sloe gin sounds like a wonderful idea.
Patricia

Simone said...

Bonker,Bonkers,Bonkers!!! I love that word. I am still here and reading your blog. I can just imagine your families out Sloe picking together on a wonderful crisp Autumn day. I have never tried Sloe Gin but it sounds delicious! x

A Bun Can Dance said...

Hello Kim!
So pleased to see you back in blogland! Sorry to hear about bonkerdom having invaded your world of late, and I do hope that you are remembering to breathe between sewing projects. Lovely pictures showing your sloe picking on the downs - methinks more of this is prescribed for you at the moment!
Here's hoping you have a peaceful week
Denise x

bellaboo said...

I have never tried sloe gin either,is it quite strong I wonder?
We live near the South Downs too,and often take Bella for walks up there.Your walk sounded great fun!

Bellaboo

A time to dance said...

What a fab word...bonkers...can I steel it...may use it at school...although we have to be so pc these days...mind maps not brain storms or thought showers in case we upset people who are epeileptic....and a friend was recently put in a disciplinary for using the word Muppet...I was told off for calling a child a pain...so I wonder who bonkers could ofend? well I love it and I love your photos..sloe gin my favourite....loveand hugs H

Emma Herian said...

BONKERS and CONKERS me dear! Thankyou to all you lovely Roses for a fantastic weekend, it was so perfect and Sloe, good!

Now get back to that machine my dear! xxx
Emx

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

I feel the same about my past couple of weeks! Can't wait for things to slow down a bit. You have done the sort of thing I LOVE doing berry picking in the countryside! I wasn't very lucky with sloes around here, most of them were passed their prime for some reason.
Isabelle x

French Knots said...

Must be the bonkers season, pretty bonkers here the last few weeks too.
Hope you are moving towards serene instead, I'm trying but am only managing wine induced serenity so far.
Looks like a lovely day on the downs.
xx

driftwood said...

mmmm sloe gin, just the thing to revive you when the world is going bonkers xxx

Lisa said...

What was it with September, it seems to have flown by in a flash for so many!
Hope you had a non bonkers weekend and here's to a calming October!
Lisa x

Thimbleanna said...

It looks like a beautiful day! Your pictures are so pretty. If you're going to be gone from this space, at least you have a great excuse! ;-)

julie said...

September generally and last week especially seems to have been bonkers for lots of people (me included). Always lovely to see your posts - am always ready to read whenever you have time to post! Hope October proves to be a more calm and collected month. x

Tracy said...

Bonkers is a great word...it sums up life in a fun way! Great to see you back though... But just go sloe, or slow, and enjoy... :o) ((HUGS))

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Lovely photos ! Marvellous to be able to snatch some time to enjoy all that space . With the bonus of being able to squirrel away some sloe gin for the winter . Very satisfying !

Gone to Earth said...

The sloes have been quite plump here this year... perhaps they'll be more juice to flavour/colour the gin with. I hope your life is calming down a little or at least you can see your way through it all. :) Take care.

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Oh the light in these pictures is so beautiful, very autumnal

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Oh the light in these pictures is so beautiful, very autumnal

Anonymous said...

lovely photos, best savoured with a glass of Sloe gin!

Garden Girl said...

Oooh, sloe gin is a firm favourite in this household too..sorry not been in touch for ages, just stupidly busy this end as well.
You have inspired me to dig out the wellies and bobble hats this weekend to go sloe picking up on the malverns though. That'll sort us out!
xx

Helen said...

Friends are soooh important, they make the world a better place.

Louise said...

A few weeks back we went up to Devils Dyke, and enjoyed a really nice walk. It has been lovely taking a jaunt around your photos, the scenes look very familiar! x

MARIELLA said...

Hello, you have a wonderful blog, inspiring ... with a mixture of colors, fabrics, beautiful things ... mmm some tasty berries

I will continue looking

greetings