KezzieAG

The slow plod of words- Chekov and Streatfield

2012-02-16T00:57:00.002Z

2. Noel Streatfield Gemma and sisters

A big Noel Streatfield fan, I've slowly acquired some of her books ovr the last couple of years! This is the sequel to a book called "Gemma" in which the daughter of film stars, who was a child star in the movies, goes to live with her cousins whilst her mum and dad go off to Hollywood. Her cousins sing and dance (one ballet, one sings in the church and school choir and the brother is a pianist) and in this book, they all develop their skills more. Gemma has issues at school and the 3 cousins and Gemma gain several more appearances with their family group, "Gemma and sisters". It's typical Noel Streatfield- stage stuff, but I quite like the fact she develops these character through 3 books! Can't wait to read the next one, "Gemma alone". Do you like Noel Streatfield. Have you read them?!

3. Anton Chekov, The lady with the little dog and other stories.
I've had this on my shelf for absolutely ages. I bought it when I bought that Patrick Hamilton, Hangover square one (it came free with the Times I think. Thank goodness, it wasn't the Daily Mail. That would have been embarassing to have admitted I'd bought it for a book!)

This was a set of short stories all depicting the difficulties of life in Russia. Some were very strange and didn't seem to have much of a plot. But there were one or two gems. The House with the mezzanine is a beautiful story of what seems to be unrequited love. The lady with the little dog tells of an extramarital affair. How a womanizer who cares little for women, somehow falls in love with a young woman whom he meets- the lady with the little dog. Peasants told the story of real poverty. To be honest, though the description was wonderfully evocative and the feeling of desperation and misunderstanding and cheating of the different classes, I can't recall the stories specifically. One thing that did crop up lots was the Samovar! Seemed to be some sort of precursor of the urn! They'd turn the samovar on to have a good old cosy! Worth a read. I'd read the Seagull at A'level but wanted to read some more Chekov!

Owls galore!

2012-02-13T18:00:00.001Z

CBC received a lovely Christmas present of a 2hour owl experience at Rutland Owl and falconry sanctuary. We travelled there today for him to have that. I was in a foul mood all the way there (not helped by road closure meaning we were 2 hours late) but when we got there, the beauty of the place, the glory and tranquility of the birds renewed me. It was a wonderful experience- truly magical, made more so by the snow. Here are some gratuitous owl shots for you to enjoy!

Happy Monday! xxx

Secret caves and midnight feasts Blyton -style!

2012-02-11T23:31:00.000Z

I'll be AWOL for a couple of days! I am off to joilie Paris!
My life, since I was very young, lots of my likes, ideas and preferences have been shaped by Enid Blyton. I was a HUGE fan as a child! Notably, beginning with the Famous Five. I read all of them, I read the 18 'sequels' written by Claude Voillier and translated by Anthea Bell, the 'Find your own adventure' books. I moved onto the Mysteries (with Fatty, Bets, Larry, Daisy, Pip and Buster), then the 'Adventure books (Lucy-Ann, Jack, Phillip, Diana, Kiki the parrot), the Adventurous Four, The 'Secret' books, 'The mysteries that all began with R. You name it. But I still think of life in those terms. I still have ambitions that involve Enid's world!

What sparked me off on this path of nostalgia? Well, Mary Poppins of the blogworld was talking of the lovely vintage trunk she'd bought. I was so excited!!! I've alrways wanted a trunk- you think of Malory Towers, St Claires, the naughtiest girl (and speaking of which, has anyone read any of the sequels for all those series by Anne Digby? I went out and bought them/borrowed them from a library over the past two years!

It made me ponder. What are all those ambitions and wants that I have that are shaped by Mrs Blyton's world? Here they are. Please tell me (so I don't feel insane/child-like, if any of these have struck with you?!

To find a secret passage in an old house. ANYTHING?! In my blogpast, when I first started this blog, I used to frequently blog about my old place of employment, the Royal Academy, where I frequently sought such places! See Six go mad at the conservatoire. I visited IMF in Prussia Cove, Penzance, which was as near as I was going to get to finding a secret passage!
Find a secret tunnel that connects an island under the sea with the mainland. Like in 'Five on Kirrin island again, and 'The island of adventure' Do such things exist?! Seriously, does anyone know?! I'ld LOVE to visit one!
Go to Boarding school/private school (I have been told by people who have been that it's not all that- but I'd like to see!)
To have a parrot that talks!
To find treasure!
To uncover a mystery!
To go off cycling in the countryside, camping, picnics galore- totally uninhibited.
Have a proper naughty midnight feast! (I had variations on this during school residential holidays, but usually just involving sweets! I want a bonefide, potted meat, tins of biscuits, lemonade, cakes, macaroons one!!!
To play a trick on a teacher in class
To go down to a mine of a sort and find a big nugget of copper!
To learn to row a boat!
Sleep on a small uninhabited island!
Find a natural cave with sand in it, a natural shelf running around the edge and stay there.
Find a perfect-sized rockpool for swimming lengths in.

The list could go on....
Can you add to it?!

It's all about the necklace!

2012-02-10T23:30:00.000Z

I received such a pretty and ornate necklace from the loveliest girl in Norfolk for Christmas- yes of course I am talking Sophie! It had a lovely sort of 1920's or ancient Greek feel to it but being me, I wanted it to match with an outfit for its debut! I got my opportunity recently. One of the funnest concerts I take part in with my orchestra is our annual kids concert. In the past years, I have played a solo on my flute- usually some crazy contemporary flute piece by an amazing guy who taught me some flute, called Ian Clarke (if you've ever heard the beatbox flute guy on youtube, it's a little like that!). We always play fun repertoire for the children and there's cakes galore!!!! In the past, we've had Kathy Clugston of Radio 4 narrating a piece so it was a shame that we didn't do a piece with her this time! Anyway, another thing I like about it is we get to wear long coloured frocks rather than the usual all-black! I knew immediately that I should wear this silk Oasis dress that I bought which has lain dormant in my wardrobe since last January sales. The detailing would go perfectly with Sophie's necklace!

It gained lots of compliments which was lovely and it was really nice to find two items that went so well together! The kids concert was a success (if a little bizarre! I wasn't quite sure what the conductor was aiming for in terms of engaging the children with the music!)

Of course, I wasn't sure what to do in terms of cardigan or what to wear over the top. I wore this but it's not a great match- what would you have worn?

More gratuitous necklace shots!

Also the shoe situation was a little confusing! What shoes would go? In the end I went for Aldo wedding shoes!
Thank you Sophie!!!!!

Stripe for the picking!

2012-02-09T22:21:00.000Z

Tammy at Silverstyle has another fun link-up! The trend of choice this time is stripes and she asks, "How does your decade style this?" Do go and link up! She's lovely and I really like seeing different variations on it from different ages. I love a good stripe! Maybe it stems from a secret crush on Aled Jones as a girl (do you get my lateral thinking?) Knowing Tammy had this, I ended up wearing stripes two days running!

Excuse the first photo- this was around 7.45 at night at school- it was parents evening! I'd been there for ages (around 10 hours!) was bleary-eyed and I figured that the light was probably better in school than my dim house- I'd forgotten to bring a hair-brush as is patently obvious! This cardie is from Monsoon and I really like the bow on the right- stops it being just another stripy cardigan (I have several and this is the way in which I usually wear stripes! Other than my big stripey curtain flares!)- I love the ways I justify multiple clothing items! (shirt and trousers, thrified oasis, cameo and earrings accessorize, bag- Hazel giveaway!)

Bracelets, pressies!

Today, I was dressed as such! I originally bought this stripy t-shirt (primark) for a potential winter lindy-outfit! To be worn with big 1940's style trousers and a black beret! Worn here with Peter-pan collar crocheted cardigan (castoff from friend)

Swishy green Asos skirt!

and green satin hair ribbon (was used as wrapping on my Christmas pressies from CBC!)

Lego earrings to keep Year 2 amused!

I must say something for Tescos and their stripy tights here- I moaned about the fact that the print doesn't go high enough on knitted tights recently but Tescos have obviously heeded complaints as the stripes go sufficiently high now! Worn with Red or dead love birds shoes.

How do you wear stripes!

I must say a brief pre-YIPPPEEEEEEEEEE to herald the fact that there is just one day till half-term!! It started snowing again as I was leaving school which was exciting and unexpected! I doubt we'll get a snow day, it was too wet on the pavement to settle but it's nice to dream!!! I hope I get time to make my own snowman this weekend!!!!

Ciao bella!

Art deco

2012-02-08T20:00:00.006Z

Hello!

I've been procrastinating in a bad way when I have French to mark (yawn!) How is it that my kids have been learning French for a year and a half and have had to write, read, say the word "C'est"a million times and I STILL find work in which it is spelt "Ce!!!!!!"

(especially when it was up on the board, has been up on the board every week and there's even a laminated "c'est" on the wall!!!!)

I went out for a glorious meal on Friday night with CBC, WKWTTG and his friends to Bohobo (or something like that) in Covent garden, a Japanese place. It was wonderful- they bring you skewers of different orders at different times. My ultimate order was a plate of crispy tofu and Klimchi. Missy Miller has converted me- it's amazing!!!!!!!!

I dressed up thus.

The difficulty of this Miss Selfridge dress has always been, it's too cold to just wear on its own. It's very very thin and has silly floppy chiffon shoulders. I do love it though. I've tended to wear with a polo neck under neath (Primark)

I was wearing about 2 pairs of leggings and tights here, together with my lovely new handbag (won in the kind and delightful Hazel's giveaway!), fingerless mittens (some shop in Mumbles, Swansea) and Bunny necklace plus my newish Sheepskin boots.
Wretched things keep shedding pile onto my feet and my tights got attached at the toe in one foot! EEEEEEEP!!!!!!

They all went to see the Mousetrap before. Have you seen it? I was sad not to be able to make it earlier but I know WHO DUNNIT!!!!! I accidently read the playscript of it when I lived in Indonesia and was starved of English fictional reading material! I guessed right!!!

Button button, who's got the button?! A make a month!

2012-02-07T21:10:00.001Z

AS part of my pledge for 2012, thanks to Annie the Felt Fairy, I have pledged to make something every month! So far, I am doing well in February! I've been carrying on with making jewellery after my experiments at Christmas
(I say making- what this really translates as is choosing colour/size combinations, opening jump rings with pliers, shoving on items, closing jumprings and then hoping for the best! Perhaps I'll become more advanced through the year! So let's call it 'faciliating a meeting of compatible buttons. Speed dating for buttons...?). I adore buttons so this is pure joy!!!
It all started when I was doing my PGCE and I had to personally go and out and buy the materials for 60 children to make puppets (yes, it gets like this in primary schools- you just go out and buy the stuff yourself from your own money). I asked in my local charity shop if they had any buttons and rather like Pick and mix,I went out the shop with about 200 beautiful pastel miniatures!!! Then of couse it grew...

Here's my makes so far...

Flower button earrings! These cute buttons have been kicking around for ages! I deemed them to nice to waste on a card! Yay for jewellery! They sparkle in the correct light (i.e. if you are not a rubbish photographer like moi)

This bracelet took aaaaaaaaaages! I am a little slow at things at first but then got into the swing of it! It's too big for me so hoping the eventual receipient has bigger wrists! (these were part of the original button haul!)

I HEART buttons! (these are intended for another crafty endeavour later in the week!!!!!!!!!!!!)

By the way:
Can you remember WHO says the quote about buttons in what film (saddo that I am!) Answers on a postcard below!

You say "Jump", I say "How high?"

2012-02-06T18:30:00.002Z

This is definitely one of those, "Well you look nothing like her" Inspiration Mondays! But what the heck!!!

It's Inspiration Monday over at the Two birds and I really wish I had this sheepskin gilet! I'd love one!

I actually have similar boots and jumper but there was no way I was wearing either today!!!!
Instead, I went for the pieces.
Jeans (well, passably similar!), M&S long ago,
Jumper, er- Gap (it has grey in it-does that count!?) bought when I slipped over in the snow in Angel, Islington, 2 years ago. Crying, I walked into GAP and bought this to make myself feel better!
Gilet (it's a gilet and it's furry! That counts!) Bay trading around 12 years ago!
Sheepskin duffle boots, Ukala,
Hat, Joyce Anderson, Corbridge.
Grey scarf- ditto
Rabbit necklace- Wolf Moon.
Earrings (barely visible) handmade by friend.

Mad-hatter's tea-party ensued.

Just in case you missed yesterday's snow antics, I decided to play again!

Go and see the other Birds here!

Have a nice Monday!!!!

Let it snow let it snow let it snow! (Singing in the snow escapades!)

2012-02-05T17:23:00.003Z

Hello there! How are you on this excitingly white day?! My newest follower Lea (hello there, so kind of you to follow!!!) thinks I am sane, so I intend to disprove her opinion with this picture in one fell-swoop!!!!!

It's been such fun seeing the world changed so much purely by the addition of a little frozen water!!!
I'm back! We've had a week of prayer and such at church,which has been glorious, so I've been there much of the week and not on here!!!

I wasn't even the slightest bit cold at church this morning! I am quite sure I am wearing more fluffy clothes than is permissable for the average person!

More insanity! Just after this took, as I landed, my turquoise furry muffler (dangling round my neck) bopped me in the face! Still, better than yesterday when I was climbing a kids suspension bridge in the park and misjudged the distance to the ground and fell badly on my ankle landing in a heap!!!! Oops, how to explain that to my boss if I had seriously damaged something!

Isn't it amazing how everything takes on an amazing Narnia-like magic and sheen in the snow! I thought I'd take some shots of my road and garden.

I love this palm down my road. Moreover, I love the juxtaposition of it and the snow!

Mmmmm, makes me think of lemon drizzle cake!

In the vicarage garden, where I took a sneaky shortcut... It really is the Secret garden in there!!! I thought of Dickon and Mary entering the garden!

I also appointed myself as adjudicator for the snowman competition and here are the finalists.

In third place, with a stoop and rounded shoulders, suggesting more of a senior snowman, plus an unhealthy-looking carrot-cigar, we have 'Old Man (frozen) River'

With sinister red-beady eyes and a disproportionately round lower-half in comparison to slender arms we have: "Red Round" in second place.

In first place we have "Slim Jim" in an attractive hat and scarf combo (wins every time!) He even sweeps his own path!

I didn't have to share the snow in my garden so after this, it was BIG footprint frenzy!

I'm surprised these figs still remain on the tree! The blackbirds were BACK when I went out!

My dear Dad has been on at me for ages to get some of those springy snow-grip-things you attach to your shoes so I christened them and they are brilliant thus far! You can attach them to any shoe. Here I attached them to my sheepskin boots and there have been no slippages! Unfortunately, my friend who doesn't have them wasn't so lucky and has hurt her recently healed fragile-broken ankle! If you want some, I got mine (Yaxtrax) from QVC here

The hat of course!!! I'm Lara again!

Have you had snow? Are you expecting it?! Sorry to blogger-friends who didn't get any! :-(
Cheerio for now!!!!

An ode from a railway carriage to our little white visitors

2012-02-04T23:58:00.001Z

Cascades so dense
obliterates vision.
Sniggers of pure white pursue prey
with alacrity in all directions.

The shutter of blue wool
shields my vision from white interference.
As we halt, in the lone, dim haze of the lamplight,
the harbringers of winter toll their icy knell.

The world is all so silent,
reclining fields like nudes.
All hushed except for the cawing of raven-like revellers from within,
and the whirr and clank of our faithful stead.

Whilst pondering with grown-up eye
the artist diminishes and
The awe-struck toddler begs
to run and play

KAG Feb 4th 2012
***

Awwwwwwwwww, snow is so exciting!!!!!!!

Inspiration Monday- snuggly coats!

2012-01-30T17:28:00.002Z

Over at the two birds it's Inspiration Monday. I haven't been able to participate due to camera lead still being AWOL for some weeks but now, after borrowing CBC's flatmate's Belkon memory-card reader which enabled be to post the previous pictures for the past weeks, my own has arrived from Amazon meaning I can upload as I wish rather than waiting for the weekend so pester the flatmate!

This week it is/was Taylor Swift who looks really cute and cosy here. A perfect outfit for church on a cold morning. Seriously, it's like an endothermic reaction in there. SOMEHOW it is colder inside than out!

Here's my take on it! This is my winter church coat (inspired by ex-Vogue working fashionista friend who keeps cosy in church similarly!) Let's not mention the hat- shhhhhhhh!!!!! Sufficed to say I love it but it's not mine. I hope the owner doesn't see this post, realise and demand it back! Still, tis her fault for leaving it in my bedroom!
Go to the link to see how everyone else styled it!

Sorry, camera battery died after taking this so it's a bit far off!

I had the most wonderful walk round my local park after taking this. It was glorious! It's so lovely to get back to nature and away from man-made things just to revel in the beauty of creation!

How's ya doing?

Cat, mouse and rabbit!

2012-01-29T22:53:00.001Z

Remember my recent reference to dressing like a teenage girl? Here's more proof! I couldn't resist this Sylvester t-shirt from Primark - it's so cute, it even has sparkly bits on it, big wide sleeves (I don't like tight short sleeves). Until fairly recently, I had a Mutley and a Pink panther t-shirt which I adored, but they were just too tight. I missed them!
That's me being a cat by the way! (The hat hasn't had its own post yet, but it will at some point!)

And of course, I had to go for Jewellery to match. Cat and mouse charms! That cat looks a bit manic at this angle. "Ahaaaaarwwwwwww, I shpy mousie!"

REMIX:

This weekend, aside from wearing a very glamorous long silk dress for my kids concert (more of that later), I wore it again, in a slightly different way!

More slouchy than last weekend! Again, I felt as comfy as anything, cord jeans as opposed to cord skirt this time!"

It seemed unfair to traumatise little mousie again so I elected to team Sylvester with my Wolf and Moon Mirror Bunny. Hmmmm, who would be the predator in this case? Are cats interested in rabbits? I'm not sure?! Can you help?!

I'm probably not going to be able to blog at all this week, apart from tomorrow's scheduled post, so catch me while you can! If you leave me lovely messages, of course, I'll catch up as soon as I can and return the love next weekend!!

Sister craft

2012-01-28T23:08:00.000Z

I love my sister, she is so fabulous and lovely and she is the only person I have ever told how to find my blog! All the other people that know me outside of the blog, who read it, have found it by accident (and that's quite a few surprisingly!!) I don't see her enough and I wish I did. Somehow, the combination of teaching, her job which involves shifts and child care, it doesn't happen! She's fabulous and she's always been someone who I look up to. She's like me in many ways- (emotions, reactions to things, some tastes) and yet so different - she's incredibly organised (she Monica, me Phoebe) , tidy, and short! (mwa ha ha !!) She's always been the person I look up to. When I was a teenager, my friend Sarah made me realise this when we were talking about who our inspirations are and she said mine was my sister!

Anyway, we hadn't spent much time together so some weeks ago, I went over to hers and we spent the day together. It was lovely seeing her and my niece. In the evening, we had a total teenage dinner of something like fish fingers and chips, Pizza express dough balls and then we went up to her craft room to make cards together! She was originally my protege. I introduced her to card making and the art of recycling and she is an amazingly imaginative and impressive card maker now! Hers look much more professional than mine.

Her craft stash is amazingly well organised- everything labelled and in lovely boxes and drawers (mine= slung in cupboards, drawers, chaos)

I made these 2 cards that evening. One is for a certain friend's birthday, someone who has recently completed an Astronomy degree. It's not quite complete yet, but it's a start.

The other is the type of card I'd love to receive- a real girly oldie worldie charm. The lovely streaky background is actually the old wallpaper from my sister's house. I taught her well- she saved it when they took it off the walls for crafting potential!

We stayed up till about 1 and then went to sleep. I sadly had to go the next morning to go to my Dad's (nice reason to go though!)

How does anyone else spend time with their siblings? Do you struggle to spend time with someone you really love?

Polka face

2012-01-27T23:19:00.001Z

Hurrah, tis the weekend to be jolly. Fa la la la la la la la la!

Two of my favourites- berets (black beret= LTEH 33) and polka dots!

I'm smiling now. because I am freee!!!! I was not smiling this morning. I went into see a colleague to give her a copy of the maths investigation. She greeted me with "Is this something I can do easily and understand that wont be too diffficult?" in a highly aggresive sounding voice. At which point I looked at her and said, "Good morning?". Her reply was "I'm not in the mood for it!" even more aggressively and proceeded to rant at me about how my work was too hard. I really felt upset and furious. It's not the other stuff, I understand the pressure, I understand that it's hard and she's stressed, I understand how hard it is too teach Maths investigation and how the children just don't get it. I'm also sorry that I only gave it to her that morning- she doesn't e-mail me the plans for the rest of the maths so I only managed to ask her about it yesterday lunchtime and then I had clubs so I couldn't do it later. I'm very sorry if I am causing her extra stress and difficulty in any way. But it was the response to Good morning, the most basic of greetings. It was the aggressive tone. There is a way to speak to your peers and colleagues and it isn't that. What would you do in the situation? I find it hard not to take it personally even though colleagues have said she's just like that and I still find myself thinking about it.

Yay, the blue, sparkly bracelet collection went for an outing!

Cheer me up, tell me something that will make me smile lovely bloggerkins!

Only Smarties have the answer

2012-01-26T17:15:00.001Z

Oops, I've just noticed my Christmas cards are still up- can you see them?! I'm such a slattern when it comes to noticing small details like this (A great word- thanks Landgirl 1980 or Lakota or someone for introducing me to that!)

Is it wrong that I bought this cardigan purely for the Smartie buttons?! It doesn't seem your typical Agnes b purchase!

I wore this shirt to school last Wednesday and was admired by colleagues who immediately thought of their young daughters (ooops, I dress like a teenage girl is the general consensus!) so when I found a rogue Size 6 version of it in Primarni on Saturday, I snapped it up for one colleague- only trouble is, BOTH her daughters are fighting over it now!) Hurrah for Peterpan collars- long may they remain in the shops!!!!

WHAT is this pose? I look in need of the bathroom?!

And yes Chris, this is the YMCA!

Rock-chick earrings!

Topshop sale bargain Star necklace will match my Cath Kidston star earrings to perfection when I er- find them!

Tomorrow, I get to make yet MORE dinosaur music! Except this time we are making up Dinosaur ostinati and a song!

Tempeh tempeh!

2012-01-25T22:14:00.000Z

My favourite vegan/vegetarian food is without doubt- TEMPEH!

This protein product is the following: in the words of Wiki:

"Tempeh (English pronunciation: /ˈtɛmpeɪ/; Javanese: témpé, IPA: [tempe]), is a traditional soy product originally from Indonesia. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form, similar to a very firm vegetarian burger patty. Tempeh is unique among major traditional soy foods in that it is the only one that did not originate in the Sinosphere.

It originated in today's Indonesia, and is especially popular on the island of Java, where it is a staple source of protein. Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans, but tempeh is a whole soybean product with different nutritional characteristics and textural qualities.[1] Tempeh's fermentation process and its retention of the whole bean give it a higher content of protein, dietary fiber, and vitamins. It has a firm texture and an earthy flavour which becomes more pronounced as the tempeh ages.[2][3] Because of its nutritional value, tempeh is used worldwide in vegetarian cuisine; some consider it to be a meat analogue" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempeh

I don't find it very often, but a lovely healthfood shop in Stratford shopping centre (whaaaaatever Westfields, you're too generic!) stocks it. I first tried it in Indonesia- it comes in soooooo many different forms- it can be sweetened and eaten like a sort of 'fruit and nut' mix, big chunks of it battered like a burger, marinated in spicy-Sambal mata-sapi (seriously hot sambal!) or a myriad of other variants. It is FAAAR superior to tofu and I am a big fan of that!

I had some in the fridge so I decided to marinate it in Szechuan sauce (another packet from the big cupboard clearout. Best before date was 2 years ago but as you have realised, it was fine!)

I fried garlic (lots!) and then chopped courgette, red pepper, chinese leaf cabbage into chunk and added them in. Subsequently, I threw in the tempeh and moved it around a lot. The Szechuan sauce made its own sweet way into the mix fairly soon after (as you judge fit!)

Meanwhile, a squirming mass of Clearspring organic soba noodles (yes, more casualties in the cupbaord clearout- only 10 months out of date) were burbling in the other saucepan.

The two were united in a marriage made in heaven with some dried, fried garlic on top

Bon appetit, Szechuan Tempeh!!!

Have you tried it? You must!

Oh, to join in the tempeh appreciation and learn how to make your own (see it's THAT cool!) go to http://www.tempeh.info/

Strip the willow!

2012-01-25T00:53:00.000Z

Have you ever been to a ceilidh? By this I mean a Scottish dance where you dance traditional country-dances to traditional folk music?

I absolutely adore this form of pastime. I'm happy to dance traditional English country dancing or barn-dancing or the proper Scottish stuff- anything really! What's the American version called?!

When I was in Year 1 (5-6 years old) at primary school, many of my PE lessons at school were spent learning Country-dancing- I definitely remember learning the OXO dance and the Square dance. They were always so much fun as though the routine might take a while to learn, the movements were not difficult!

My teacher was so enthusiastic about it that it rubbed off on me and I become positively giddy at the prospect of a barn-dance or Ceildh nowadays!

The two main sources of my ceildh barn-dancing nowadays are at churches- usually fundraisers or at weddings. I guarantee if you tell me about one and I am free, I will find a way to be there!!!!

It's such a great workout- I can happily exercise vigorously whilst dancing this type of dance for around 4 hours without batting an eyelid! If you were looking for a form of exercise and discover your local church/village/community hall is having one, I strongly recommend going along- even if you have nothing to do with the church/village/community or think you'd know no-one, they are so much fun, and invigorating. My friend A, featured in some of the below pictures, also loves them and when her husband was in Afghanistan, we rocked up to a village ceildh in her village, she'd never been to any village events and we danced non-stop for about 4 hours- everyone wondered who we were I'm sure, but were quite happy for us to join in the fun!

We held one at my church during harvest time and I managed to get 11 friends to come along. The exciting thing here was that I was part of the ceildh band- we consisted of accordion, guitar, violin, drums and moi on recorder and Irish whistle. The tunes are so catchy and bring a smile to your face!

The only downside was it meant I got to dance less than I would have liked!

But it was great fun just to be part of the atmosphere!

If you want to try something new this year and have never done it, then try this activity- great fun! If you're in Scotland ever, look for one. Or with Burns Night coming up, you might find one going on! I'd love to spend my New Year's eve at one- there are many happening- that's what I spent my Millenium new year's eve doing!

Oh and wear loose clothing, maybe of something floaty like silk (like my Antik Batik skirt above) make sure you have layers so you can strip off when you get too hot and flat shoes- DO NOT wear heels- the last one I went to, some woman stepped on my ANKLE in her stillettos, gave me a MASSIVE bruise and inadvertantly ripped the button and eye off my ankle strap of my New Yorkers!!

Go on then- share your country-dancing experiences!!!!

Have maps- will turn into envelopes! (January pledge to make!)

2012-01-23T19:39:00.000Z

As you may have ascertained from my sidebar, I have signed up for A Monthly make at Annie, the Felt Fairy. This is where you pledge to make one item each month. I really liked this idea as though I periodically make things, I wanted to make it a regular thing, and also challenge myself to try different things! If you want to join the fun, go and click on the pretty button!!!! You can see a myriad of more skillful offerings at the flickr page!!!

I'm a big of a blogtechnophobe as you may have realised from the lack of super-duper flashy things on my blog and highly boring header. I envy you, the people I follow who have beautiful, pretty unique headers. Any ideas how to solve my technophobia! Anyway, I felt quite proud of myself managing to actually add a button to my sidebar and then I experimented with adding a few links to some of my fave blogs! I've only managed a few so far as it took my ages to go to my follow menu and paste links etc, so I will add to it as I go along- please don't be offended if you're not there yet!
Anyway, back to the make for January:

An obselete road-map turns up in the recycling bin? Turn it into envelopes and writing paper! Better still, match up the map-envelopes to friends/family who live in that area and send them letters in those envelopes!

Be afraid, be very afraid! A letter may wing itself towards you any day now in one of these beauties*! Char has already received one! There's another 100 pages in this atlas!

* I am of course being slightly sarcastic about myself!

Can't see the wood for the trees!

2012-01-22T13:03:00.000Z

Don't worry, I'm not overwhelmed or depressed, I'm just posing as a tree!

Neutrals is the theme- Tammy at Silverstyle has a link-up for Trending through the decades and this week's theme is neutrals! I think that the beige, brown and tweed counts! In the past I used to love wearing brown a lot- I was even given a title, "Symphony in Brown" when I was at Uni by a guy who liked the brown look I wore sometimes! I ike wearing white in the summer and autumnal shades in the winter! The tank is a 2nd-hand purchase as are the earrings! Everything else is older! I can't wear these wretched beige suede shoes at the moment- I wore them in torrential rain and somehow lost the sole of the heel on the right foot! HOW??????

Yay, off for a walk!
Enjoy your Sundays my dears!

Nostalgia!

2012-01-21T12:36:00.000Z

In the great clean-up, clear-out of the cupboards, I have come across some worrying finds! One- a dried pasta sauce with the best-before date of 2002- I took it in to school to eat for lunch (cheese and broccoli- honestly, it's not going to hurt me is it?) to the horror of my colleagues but didn't have a bowl big enough to cook it in! The other find was that 'Smash and crack magic sauce for ice-cream, you know, the one that hardens to form a chocolate shell! You must know this if you are a child of the 80's! I enjoyed it on Wispa ice-cream.

Jealous?!

What other nostalgic treats can you think of, or do you miss?

Thursdays are for thrifters- red wine and fork! (with a dinosaur for good measure!)

2012-01-18T19:28:00.003Z

Greetings one and all! I'm going to be linking up to Meagan at Spunkychateau for Thursdays are for thrifters! Thank you for the kindness regarding "The shorts!"

I'm really excited as tomorrow with Year 2, they get to pretend to be Foley artistes- if you don't know what they are, they are the people who make the sound-effects to go with TV/film to make it sound real- e.g. when someone runs up the stairs, they dub the sound of the footsteps in sync with the movement- well they've been learning about dinosaurs this week and they're going to watch this clip of a sound-designer showing how to create sound-effects then research and do their sound-effects to the clip. Go and have a go yourself! I love the fact I get to teach it twice!!!

This outfit features 4 thrifted items, 3 recent. Firstly, I bought the following items in charity-establishments 2 weeks ago- such cute kissing boy and girl earrings, a swinging heart necklace and a porcelain flower brooch (not in the outfit!)

This fork bracelet, bought at a country village summer fete last August. It was obviously someone's old bracelet and was very tarnished- a bit of elbow-grease solved that! Yes, it really is a silver dessert fork!

A red-wine coloured cordhuroy mini-dress (threeeefted ma loves!). Ultra comfy.

Non-thrifted parts of the outfit are my vain Irregular Choice Penelopes and navy school tights! (technically thrifted since my Mother gave them to me after not needing them!)

Here is the jewellery in action (and an attempt at hairstyle! I've been wearing this headband in my hair with my hair down for years but never tried it with my hair up. Thanks for the inspiration Lauren!)

And voila, the whole ensemble! (Ahrgh, how did I forget the hat!!!!!!!!! It is serendipitously the same colour as the dress- Tescos, the night before buying the dress!!!)

How has your day been? Wonderous I hope! Mine has been pretty cool- this afternoon I taught my Year 5 groups for the first time- I'm giving time to some pupils who are sort of middle-ability but are kind of 'stuck' at a level in their writing, giving them intensive sessions to work on their targets. It was great- they were sooooo enthusiastic and really seemed to enjoy the activities- today was creating complex sentences by adding chunks of information (subordinate clauses) to add more description to characters and working on characteristics of people- using extended vocabulary! I love teaching writing- how I have missed it!

What have you enjoyed?

Bye-bye Birdie!

2012-01-16T21:49:00.002Z

Hello! Due to cool techy friend, I managed to upload some photos via a clever multiple-memory card reader! And I managed to make it outside to take a photo! I'm jumping on Char and Alex's shorts bandwagon and featuring a pair I bought in the sale at that old favourite Primarni! With an old Primarni turquoise top, Vera-Moda bird vest (sale from local Boutique), M&S boots, turquoise Christmas present necklace, hair-flower and assortment of glittery turquoise bracelets- appealing to my inner-magpie!

Along with Forever21 tights I must share a slight bug-bear here- admittedly, these shorts are obscenely short (and indeed, I do feel that perhaps they are too short) but why is it that lovely knitted tights only make the pattern go up so far?! I've got so many lovely pairs of patterned-knitted tights that only have a pattern going up a little above my knee- I might be a giraffe in the leg-length stakes but still!!! That said, I'm pleased that Tescos have recently improved their patterned tights plain to pattern ratio though! Anyone else have similar issues?

I bought this top loving the photographic-style print of the birds- so vibrant although it wrinkles a little annoyingly!!! Speaking of birds, my little friends have recently deserted me- no sign of Mr Blackbird and his tuneful family or the tame robin- tis sad- I miss them! I've been leaving food in the garden but to no avail- no response except from a couple of perpetually mournful wood-pigeons. Oo OOOOOOO Oo Oo-Oo!!! (Get a new tune you miserable losers!)

Has the wild-life been inspiring you recently?!

Let them eat hats 31- 1920's style cloche!

2012-01-16T00:15:00.000Z

Around 2 years ago, when CBC and I first started going out, we went to Marylebone High Street for the afternoon. We came across a handmade market in the grounds of St Marylebone's and I found a hat stall by a designed called Orizu. They were beautifully made, in a wonderful 1920's quirky style with a corsage of your choice. When I debated colour, the maker suggested, when I said I had a purple coat (pictured- Debenhams Petite collection- only Petite fits my shoulder despite being a tall lass!) , that I buy a green one with the purple flower. They're not cheap- mine cost £45 (I couldn't believe I spent so much on it) but they are so fun.

These photos don't do the hat justice, but check out these Orizu hats of the same type on Etsy. They look so nice here!

If you really like this and you would like to buy one from Orizu, they are on Etsy, here is my exact hat!

Was it money well spent or am I totally crazy!?

How vain are these shoes- they're checking themselves out in the mirror!!!

2012-01-13T20:18:00.000Z

Loooooook what I caught my shoes doing last week!!!!!!!!!

I could hear them saying, "I am so preeetty, I must admire myself in the mirror!" Vain little things!

I admired many pretty pairs of Irregular choice shoes in the sale, like these at Schuh but sadly, I just think they'd be too high for me- I can't get my foot at a certain angle and those innocuous-looking 9cm pretties are just too high I am afraid.

However, I admired this pair of shoes called "Bed of Roses Penelope" back in maybe September- they were a LOW equivalent of the Patty shoe which I adored (Cath Kidston in shoe form!) but ALAS, WOE-WAS-ME, they did not have them left in my UK size 8 (42) foot size! I checked every website I could, pestered all manner of IC-wearing bloggers for inspiration to no avail.

So it was with alacrity that I found them on the Irregular choice website on Christmas eve- not in the sale sadly - but back in stock in my size! (There are some really nice new shoes on the site!)

I love the fact they are low but have the pretty, ubiquitous IC perspex heel

They seem assymetric since one side if blue and the other pink!

And pretty pink inards!

They're very comfortable and they're high enough to have that nice slimming-effect on the lower leg.

Do we forgive them for admiring themselves in the mirror!?!

You can tell I am lacking inspiration when resorting to old photos on my computer- camera lead has not turned up- the camera is fine but it's the lead that is AWOL! Tis annoying!

How are you?

10 to be thankful for- January 2011

2012-01-12T19:38:00.000Z

1. For my schedule being thus far less arduous this term- it really does make a difference to my sanity!
2. For my family, especially thankful for my lovely sister taking the precious time to come and help me have a bit clearout.
3. That it hasn't been colder and I haven't had hideous amounts of marking thus far- my wrist has been playing up.
4. That this is not a long half-term! The Jan-Feb half-term is by far the most gloomy one.
5. For the exciting possibilities musically at school this term that have already cropped up! My recorder club will be taking part in our borough's recorder festival this year which I am very excited about! My kids are very enthusiastic about playing the recorder which is fab!
6. For inspiration appearing when you least expect it. Who would've thought that the annoyance of one of my children accidently doing their maths investigation work in their old book from Year 3 would have led my to find the perfect investigation to adapt for this Friday rather than having to do MORE boring word problems in order to test their +/- skills!!
7. For my wonderful electric blanket- utter bliss!
8. For new friends! Always lovely to find!
9. For not having succumbed to any cold yet!
10. For each and every moment I have lived, laughed and thought this day and those before!

What are you thankful for?

Number 1- devastating!

2012-01-11T20:54:00.000Z

1. Patrick Hamilton Hangover Square.

My first book of the year reflects 3 intentions: 1 to read more classics, to read some different authors and to try and get rid of some books from my heaving bookshelves. I find it very hard to get rid of anything, let alone books but my house is not big so needs must. I do love the feel of this book- it's books that have a lovely textured feel and having a lovely ordered bookcase full of lovely looking, that makes me loathe to ever go over to the Kindle(dark)-side.

This book was so interesting in a way I totally didn't expect. We meet George, gentle, gullible man, who gets walked all over by people. He loves the beautiful but cruel Netta Longden, who is the centre of a pack of unemployed scroungers. She treats him with utter disdain and uses him, but only has to offer him a slightly less-frosty than usual reception and he is putty in her hands. Except that he has weird sort of dead moods, where his head clicks and he becomes another side of his personality. In this brainset, he is shut off from his real-self and is full of resentment for Netta and decides she must die. As we go through the book, we discover just how nasty Netta is- and you long for George to have the strength to break away from his infatuation and get away. Wondering when he is next going to go into one of his dead-moods keeps the tension up throughout. He comes into contact with an old school acquaintance, and meets someone who Netta DOES want to win over. As we near the end, the tension is unbearable- I willed and willed the book to end in the way I wanted.
I was utterly devastated by the end of this book- it's another Phantom of the opera!

Read it, totally fascinating- it is set against a background of pre-WW2 England- gloomy, depressing, seedy, low-expectations- a brilliant insight into that time.

Anyone else read it?

How do you solve a problem like a Kezzie?

2012-01-09T18:10:00.000Z

Hello! Disaster- I've lost my camera lead in the big tidy up (strange, I can find it when house is a tip. When tidied up, everything is unfindable!) I spend soooo much of my life searching for things I have mislaid, how on EARTH will I cope when I am old!!!!!! Anyway, I was in The sound of Music a long time ago and I wrote this post absolutely ages ago but forgot about it. Long overdue but needing to clear up the drafts folder!

Anyway, I am a bad blog host! I think gratefully of all the lovely comments you leave me and then never actually voice my thanks which is shamefully remiss of me- so I am sorry but thank you for the loveliness you leave. It really does make my day to see another friendly comment and I hope that is reciprocated when I visit back.

Anyway, ages ago, I bemoaned to all of you about the dress I wanted to wear for my 'party' outfit for the Sound of Music- the fact I had found the perfect dress in the Sunday times magazine from Asos's salon range and it was sold out. What I shamefully didn't tell you was that it then came back into stock and I bought it. You will also remember my sharing the vintage dirndl skirt and 1920's shift night dress I bought for it.

Well, here are just a few photos of my time playing Maria Von Trapp during the Royal Wedding weekend for you to laugh at! Here is the first moment of meeting Captain Von Trapp- here the dirndl skirt made it's first outfit- hideosly paired with high-necked black blouse bought vintage some years ago which I wear when I have to dress up as a Victorian school marm. Notice hat in hand- the outfit looked even more hideous with the hat on!

Here is the ASOS salon dress in action- so floaty. Dancing the laendler- I cannot tell you how long we had to rehearse this because I could NOT stand close to Nick, staring into his eyes under his arm in the moment we were supposed to realise we loved each other, without giggling. Mother Superior who taught us the dance got really cross with me. Somehow I managed it in performance! I look really awfully serious here! Sans makeup!
Lonely goat herd shot- the 1920's night shift made its appearance. It was soooo stiff and uncomfortable!!!!

Singing Edelweis.

;
Curtain call at the end- the relief but sadness of it being over (that's me on the right)

Lonely goat-herd- my favourite song! I was told I had a great yodel! Ooops, I can see my dress poking out underneath it- I had to wear it thus as I had a quick change for the next scene!
Looking very holy, this IS indeed my Victorian School marm outfit!

Don't you love the curtain dresses!!!!? Saddo that I am, getting into the role, I found myself crying in between the leaving scene and this one!

So, tell me- do you frequently lose things?

The awe and wonder of Durham!

2012-01-08T17:53:00.002Z

Possibly one of the most special experiences of my Chrismas holiday was visiting Durham for the first time ever. This famous University city has the most amazing cathedral and when J, (CBC's mum) found out I'd never seen it, she promised we should pay a visit at Christmas, so on the 22nd of December, it was our plan to attend the carol service there.

In the morning, we went for lunch at Brockbushes garden centre (scene of the famous maize maze post from the summer). We spent rather a long time there, so CBC and I went outside to play with a tractor. Well CBC did- I was the paparazzi!

One of my favourite (a little geeky I know) car pastimes is cloud-gazing. I love identifying familiar objects and characters in clouds. And since reading the Cloud collector's handbook, looking for unusual ones!

This fleet of airship like clouds were my companion all the way along the rollercoaster that is the A68

They appeared to have babies after a while!
Spookily, anticipating parking issues in Durham, we found somewhere instantly and sojourned up to the cathedral. We crossed the river, going past the controversially concrete-looking Durham university Student Union and up steep cobbled streets..

... to catch our first view of the cathedral. To be honest, it doesn't look out of the ordinary from any other cathedral on the outside. But on the inside it is breath-taking. I almost cried (I confess I did she a tear or two, but tried to hide as I did it) I was so overwhelmed by the feeling of beauty, of it being a sacred place of the standing on holy ground. I have sung in quite a few cathedrals because of a choir I used to sing with- we used to cover for cathedral choirs when they were away sometimes and so got to see parts of the cathedral that the general public don't get to, but by far, this is the one I have been most awed and affected by.

Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos inside but please please please go and look at the cathedral website, where you can see some. You will not get the feeling I got of being in that holy place but it is beautiful! We saw the Marks and Spencer stained glass window (paid for by M&S I believe) and were treated to seeing and hearing the choir rehearsing for the service.
We heard different choir boys being tried out for the 1st verse solo for 'Once in royal David's city'!

J, who went to University in Durham, shared some of her knowledge and reminiscences with us. I loved seeing where she'd lived. Look at these lovely Georgian looking buildings.

Steep cobbled streets made me feel sorry for the limping old man I saw.

Durham castle, which we didn't get to see inside.

More views of the cathedral which is Norman- so it is at least 800 years old...

and more...

Here's the square. And to our left, Durham university music department building!

The sanctuary knocker. If anyone in Norman times (I'm a little hazy on the dates/era) who was wanted by the law, they could seek sanctuary in this cathedral and they could not be touched by the authorities and would be given free passage to the nearest port. If they even just managed to reach the sanctuary knocker and touch it, they would be safe.

As it got dark, we went and ate cake! Bless J, she saved us seats whilst we went to do some Christmas shopping. Looking around, I discovered that this is the resting place of the venerable Bede- well known monk, and considered one of the Great historians. He strongly believed in unbiased truth in history.

The quadrangle...

We managed to find one or two items including copious walking socks!
That's me. In a hat. It felt so festive and romantic being in that paved, old-stoned square! Leaving J, CBC's Mum to guard our bags and save places, we went to hastily buy some last minute Christmas presents (and buy some sneaky chips!) I loved the winding streets!

The carol service was magical. It was so wonderful to be there. I loved the fact that the choir had boys and girls mixed up. There's usually just a boys choir and the girls sing for other services. The singing was wonderful, and I loved the readings and the message of the sermon.

As we departed the cathedral at night (9pm), I was so glad we had made the journey. It was a cheerful, yet hungry journey back to Haltwhistle. We had great fun playing, "Christmas Carol 1 note at a time), singing Christmas carols 1 note each going round in a circle. You can imagine how Ding dong merrily on high sounded! We managed to stave our hunger with a snickers bar that WOMOTM thoughtfully gave me in the morning and when we had returned home, we were most appreciative of the salmon dinner that WOMOTM and Miss Penguin had cooked for us!

Have you ever visited Durham. Can you try and articulate the beauty and awe of Durham cathedral?
Have I persuaded you to visit if you haven't?

The book 2011 edit

2012-01-08T00:19:00.000Z

It’s reached that new year moment where folks the world over are making resolutions late or reflecting on them, and Kezzie is making her final book list of the year! It feels like a new year tradition now!
Here are the majority of the books I read (not counting all the short kiddie ones read for Guided reading and a few others forgotten)

1. Cora Harrison: I was Jane Austen's best friend

2. Michael Morpurgo: Waiting for Anya.

3. Budge Wilson Before Green Gables.

4. Mary Ann Scaffer and Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literay and Potato Peel Pie Society.

5. Elizabeth Aston Mr Darcy's daughters

6. Nancy Goudie Treasures of Darkness.

7. Eleanor H Porter Pollyanna grows up.

8. Terry Pratchett The unadulterated cat.

9. Anne Perry The face of a stranger.

10. Aleksandr Orlov A simples life.

11. Ted Hughes The Iron woman

12. Joseph Galliano (editor) and various famous types. Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self

13. J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the deathly hallows

14. Anne Perry Half Moon Street

15. Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love

16. Joan Aiken The Youngest Miss Ward

17. Gavin Pretor-Pinney The cloud collector's handbook.

18. Noel Streatfield. Party shoes

19. Tony Wilmott Birdoswald Roman Fort (English Heritage Guidebooks)

20. Maria Von Trapp The Sound of Music- the story of the Trapp family singers

22. Georgette Heyer Cotillion

23. Alison Prince My Story Henry the VIII's wives

24. Michael Morpurgo Kaspar- Prince of cats

25. David Almond. Skellig

26. Alexander McCall Smith Espresso tales

27 Michael Morpurgo Cool!

28. Frances Pascall Sweet valley high confidential: 10 years on

29. Anthony Horrowitz Scorpia Rising

30. Julia Quinn On the way to the wedding

31. Kate Morton The House at Riverton.

32. Alexander McCall Smith 44 Scotland Street.

33. Kate Morton The forgotten garden.

34. Vikram Seth An equal music.

35. Christina Jordis Bali Java in my dreams

36. Lorna Hill Masquerade at the Wells

37. Lorna Hill Return to the Wells

38. Gillian Cross Facing the demon headmaster

39. Alexander McCall Smith Love over Scotland. (44 Scotland street series)

40. Robert Mandelburg The Case of the Curious Campaign - a whodunit of many mini-mysteries.

41. Lorna Hill Ella at the Wells.

42. Piers Moore Ede Honey and Dust: Travels in Search of Sweetness

43. Sue Finden Casper- the travelling cat

44. Pamela Aidan An assembly such as this. The Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman trilogy part 1.

45. Georgette Heyer These old shades

46. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost:Class President

47. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost: A magic crystal

48. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost: A flying birthday cake.

49. Edward Eager The Time Garden.

50. Don Richardson Lords of the Earth:

51. Pamela Aidan Duty and Desire: The Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman trilogy, part 2

52. Pamela AidanThese three remain - Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman trilogy

53. Isabel Wolff A vintage affair

54. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost: Kidnapped at birth.

55. Lorna Hill No castanets at the Wells.

56. Lorna Hill Jane leaves the Wells.

57. Daniel Mason. The Piano tuner.

58. Lorna Hill Rosanna joins the Wells

59. Lorna Hill Principal Role

60. Philip Ridley Krindlekrax

61. Timothy Whuffenpuffen

62. Angela Brazil The Jolliest term on record.

63. Charles Dickens The Christmas books: A Christmas carol, The Chimes, The cricket on the hearth

64. Carola Dunn Death at Wentwater court

65. Carola Dunn The winter garden mystery.

66. Carola Dunn Requiem for a mezzo.

67. Keri Smith How to be an Explorer of the World

I've loved most of the books I've read but particular favourites include the Pamela Aidan Darcy books and the Daisy Dalyrimple books are exciting because there are still another 18 or so for me to read (I've always enjoyed devouring whole series!) , I've adored all the Alexander McCall Smith books and the Kate Morton books were a revelation!

Possibly the most boring was the Dickens- it just seemed a bit rambly but I want to read some of his longer books next year!

67 books isn't bad for a year, (or so I thought until I read that Alex had read 371- HOW????) so what should I do next year? Aim for something in particular or just see how it goes?

Suggestions on a postcard in the comments box below please!

Christmas diagnosis and the gift low-down

2012-01-06T21:22:00.000Z

One thing that always makes January less blue for me is remembering the holidays. I'm often to be found happily in memory of the holidays, Christmas and what I did. Perhaps, family and friends wonder why I pensively sit there staring into the distance. Yet I am more often than not, lost in joyful reminiscence. I cound myself luckily that I have such a good memory, even if I waste a lot of time!

My Christmas was certainly busy but wonderful.

That first weekend was of course, spent largely at church with carol services, nativities. I love the Christmas season and I have been sad to miss church on Christmas eve and Christmas day for the last 3 christmases.

Going up to Northumberland with CBC for my second Christmas there was wonderful again. I really really do adore his family and how welcoming and generous they are. I do feel like 'going home' to Northumberland now. I've never had that feeling my University friends had of going home since I went to Uni in London and I live where I grew up so I adore going to CBC's home!

I really enjoyed the epic Christmas quiz (literally, it lasted about 7 hours over 2 days!!!), singing and playing at St Mary's church in Hexham on Christmas eve, friendly late-night parties and singing round the piano, rubbing my hands with butter all over a raw turkey (ok, so I didn't enjoy that, but it was nice to learn how!), painting ceramics, spying jumping salmon, gloriously wild walks and being surrounded by family! I am always sad to leave Northumberland but there is always the promise of more next holiday!!

I was extremely spoilt in terms of presents this year and feel terrible about how much people spent on me. However, they were lovely gifts and I was very happy to receive them.

Check out the Christmas morning gift layout! (CBC's are the imaculate green-bow bedecked ones! How clever he is!)

Although, I didn't enjoy lugging presents home from Northumberland, then my Sister's, then my Mum's. Ahrgh, my suitcase was like a ton of bricks and my wrists are STILL sore! Of course it ~~remained in middle of floor to be tripped over~~ was put away tidily.

Surprisingly, I only received minimal clothing! This lovely Whitestuff knitted dress was a surprise from my Dad and Stepmum. They also got me a wonderful black cashmere pashmina that I requested for freezing cold concerts in freezing cold churches! (you try playing the flute in sub-zero temperatures!!!)

Fun stuff, including a 'Make your own daisychain' and tissues (my Mum likes a theme!)

Here was the central part of the theme- a Glastonbury shop bought Daisychain crown for my (apparently, around 1-3 years ago, I asked my Mum if she could get me one after admiring her one and she found me one at last! How pretty it is!)

And nicely presented in a VW Beetle box (now in use for headband storage!)

Possibly the sweetest, most thoughtfully unexpected present came as a result of this blog! Back in May 2011, I blogged about how I had always wanted rollerblades and how I never got any and feared finding any in Size 8! Well my darling sister read that blog and searched for me and bought me the lovely light up science museum roller skates which you can add to your shoes in the picture below.

I also loved the windup Tardis and Space hopper and FINALLY a lovely new bottle of CK Be, my favourite perfume!

Lots of lovely little booklets, notelets and diaries and fairtrade items and the candles were from my Headteacher who literally wrote me the most lovely card to go with them. What she said in it, made all my manic lunchtimes and stress worth it. It is really true that just telling someone positive things about themselves really makes the day and means more many things.

Lovely jewellery including lovely silk scarf from Sophie, lovely beaded fairtrade necklace from J (CBC's Mum) and cute crocheted corsage!

Lovely Pj set from little sis was my only other clothing and my favourite and most hoped for present from
CBC's far-too-generous parents. An electric blanket. Seriously, the most wonderful thing that has happened to my sleep in a long time! I no longer fear the glacial-tomb that is my winter-time bedroom!!! It is heavenly!!!!

Possibly my most hilarious, unexpected and slightly bizarre present was my solar-shower from my Mum!! It's such a sweet idea, I really appreciate it and thinking about it, I can use it in the summer in my house as my shower doesn't do hot water as well as if I go to a camp-site where you have to pay for hot water, (only cold) but when I first got it, I was like, "WHERE am I going to use it? Do I have to shower naked with it in a forest with no shield from prying badgers and rabbits." Apparently they were on Dragon's Den according to someone I told about it!!! I'll let you know how it works out!!!

Exciting books- the next 3 44 Scotland street Alexander McCall Smith books I wanted but didn't think anyone knew (I think the blog may have been checked to find out which ones I'd read) including one signed by the lovely man himself!!!!

A guide to Marrakech and a gorgeous Atlas telling all about small islands from CBC which is really lovely as I am sooo fascinated by small islands!!!! And my ticket to Africa!!! SOoooooo exciting! Roll on half-term!

How cool is this? The vintage tea-party! It even tells you how to make cool head-dresses! I admired this on someone else's blog!!!! Hence my new year's resolution to have a tea-party!!!

A series of Cath Kidston items from clever friends who (2 of the 3 were from men who didn't know my Cath Kidston thing!!!)

And a lovely red polka dot mug (with already scoffed marshmellows) from a lovely girl named Sophie (she signed her name, though I know not where to go to thank her!) through Char's Christmas Secret Santa!!! Thank you Sophie and thank you Char for organising it! It's already my new favourite mug!!!

A lovely candle which was given smells of Christmas, so this aids the sensory memory! Didn't I do well!! This doesn't include other presents which are now ~~stuffed in any location possible so Mum doesn't think house is mess when she comes tomorrow~~ squirred away in tidy locations

I didn't want to seem materialistic by posting this but wanted to keep a record of lovely gifts and show my gratefulness for continuing generosity that I don't deserve.

Happy January!!!

The blues! Fetch me my hat good sir! LTEH 31 and some veggie-fare!

2012-01-04T23:49:00.000Z

Hello there! The darling kiddies returned to the throng today! We, yesterday. I must confess to feeling the January blues at this, however, needs must, and I am lucky to have a secure job in which I am valued! I was also lucky to have some PPA (non-contact time) so it was fine! The remedy for the blues must of course be a strict course of hat-wearing! This particular beret was a sale-purchase, the same Primark model as my red one, for a paltry centipede's legs worth of pennies! Worn with a lovely new Christmas present Fairtrade blue-beaded necklace (in my Northumbrian stocking!), M&S cardie, Primark kids dress (well aged 12-13!), White-stuff heart socks and Gap turquoise slipper boots (my winter essential!)

Yay for turquoise!!!

Inspired by Nicole and Gwendolyn's tofu marinara and a burning need to rid my heaving cupboards of the mountain of tinned products that have been lurking in there for years, I decided to make a veggie feast!

I used 1 tin of butterbeans, 1 tin of plum tomatoes (from the cupboard of doom), 2 cloves of garlic crushed, 1/2 a bag of spinach and ricotta 'fresh' ravioli (I say fresh as opposed to dried, but in the inverted commas because the stuff has been in my fridge for months and was a month out of date!), frozen sweetcorn, and loads of steamed spinach plus seasoning and mild-chilli powder.

Basically, fried the garlic in oil, splatted the tins in (literally went all over me! Spitting saucepans and all that), added frozen sweetcorn, pepperdew peppers, chilli-powder. Stirred it a bit, left it to do its thing- simmering.

Then I cooked the ravioli in the water, steaming the spinach over the top of it.

I probably put it in the bowl in the wrong order- spinach at the bottom, ravioli on top of that and the tomato mixture on top.

Together with a glass of apple juice, it was very very nice!!!!!

Would you make butterbean slosh???????

How was your day?

Faith, hope and Charity swap!

2012-01-03T21:55:00.000Z

Another post that failed to do as it was told! Here it is a little late!
Hello there! Taking part in Lakota's Christmas, Faith, Hope and Charity Swap, I was the lucky recipient of wonderful packages from the delightful Millicent of New World!

I was so overwhelmed with how carefully she's obviously looked at my posts and blog which is reflected so kindly and perfectly in the aptness of all her gifts!

Firstly, a lovely vibrant card for her and a lovely Snow flake card from Master T her son, to say thank you for his book I sent him!

A WONDEFUL pack of blank cards for card making! I was just thinking I needed some new ones as my supply of plain cream ones is running pretty low!

MMmMmmmmmmmmm chocolate. Need I say more?!!!

A lovely bright angel/fairy for a Christmas tree (which I lack but which will hang on a door!!)

A wonderful K for Kezzie which I look forward to finding a place for! Very suitable considering my proximity to London! I presume this is the handmade element but I wasn't sure since it is so well made! (you can tell what is handmade of mine!)

A Doctor Who guide! Love it !!!! Great since I am so behind with the Matt Smith era!!!

A hat a hat a hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so excited when I opened this parcel!!!!! It's so fun- nothing like any hat I have! It's a wonderful speckled pink colour with a cute ribbon around the brim! It doesn't show how cute it is off, so I of course have to model it for you (Let them eat hats 30!)

And my joint favourite, this wonderful note book which has a lovely textured cover and a protective elastic. I always have to have a notepad with me to make notes, to write down poems, write down sudden inspiration for song writing, music writing, card ideas, and thoughts and prayers as I ponder! I absolutely love this!

And finally this lovely Charlotte Bronte bookmark. She didn't know this but I was in Bronte house at school so I feel a real affection for the Bronte sisters (I read some of their books as a 12 year old purely for this reason!) Also, I really love this quote because I really feel it reflects my outlook on life. I've always had a go at doing lots of things, always having a hectic life full of many activities, and people have berated me through life saying that I could end up as a 'Jack of all trades and master of none' or worried that I am going to burn out but it reflects my zeal for life!

Thank you sooo much for my wonderful gifts. I feel in comparison that my presents, though I spent a long time thinking about them, really don't do justice to how thoughtful and clever she has been in buying me presents! Thanks also to Lakota for organising this swap! I enjoyed it! I also like the fact that you feel like you've made a new friend through a swap!

Here's what I got her which seemed pathetic by comparisson!

Ballet and beasts

2012-01-02T23:08:00.000Z

Suddenly aware that since it is the new year, I should finally publish this book review blog that I have been prevaricating about since the beginning of December, adding the final reads of the year! There are one or two real corkers here that have been an absolute pleasure to read. And then some Dickens...

58. Lorna Hill Rosanna joins the Wells

Once again, I find myself being lured into reading kiddie books. Helen my friend has slowly been bringing these to orchestra for me to borrow. I loved the start of this book, set in Italy in a lovely village- I could just sense the heat and beauty of the old place- Ms Hill writes wonderfully evocative setting descriptions that warm the very reaches of your heart. There was an interesting sort of Cinderella perspective to this book as Rosanna, Italian girl who has just begun to learn to dance and discovers she is good, gets sent to live in the North of England due to the death of the priest who was her guardian. We meet old favourite characters from Hill's previous 8 Wells books, including the now-exiled King of Slavonia who unexpectedly met Ella Rosetti- heroine of the previous book and now is following her to pursue her in love. Again, you can kind of guess how this book is going to end, but I am a creature of habit and I like formulas!

59. Lorna Hill Principal Role

Aha, the younger sister of the King of Slavonia begins this book, in exile staying in Switzerland whilst there are threats against her life from republican elements who fear a return of the royal family to Slavonia. It transpires she is good at dance and because of her Brother's love for Ella Rosetti (unrequited), she is sent to the Wells school to study. So basically, a Princess at the Wells. There is certainly a sad ending to this book but one that is refreshingly surprising, except that if anyone knows my views on Phantom of the Opera, this is an ending that does ultimately make me cross!

60. Philip Ridley Krindlekrax
Aha, this book is brilliant! It's the book I've been reading with my top-group for Guided reading at School. I've managed to get across to them, and helped them to recognise, be able to explain and identify examples of the following: Suspense, (through the use of grammar- short sentences, paragraphing and the holding back of information, Cliffhangers, Idiosyncrasies, and be able to analyse how exactly the writer achieves the effect of writing excitingly. This story is a sort of modern-day David and Goliath type idea- where Ruskin, a red-haired, scrawny with dreams of being an actor, faces the trials of Elvis, a bullying, violent thug. However, in order to become a hero and defeat Elvis, it is only through his conquering of a fearsome giant lizard that lurks in the sewer called Krindlekrax with his friend Corky, the caretaker, that he can achieve this. It deals with the issues of friendship, bullying, anti-social behaviour, consequences of actions and trying to be popular, not judging a book by its cover It deals with death of characters in a sensitive way also. As a teacher, (or parent also, if you're keen), it is a wonderful book for drawing out the assessment focuses in reading. I might actually put up my questions for guided reading up here sometime if anyone might want to use them? Parent or teacher? Let me know in the comments)

61. Sally Odgers and John Bennett Timothy Whuffenpuffen
This book regards beast of the more friendlier variety. The named character is in fact an inherited dragon belonging to a family. Marcus, the main character, is a bit of a wuss, dominated by a bossy girl who lives near by who wants him to be her friend. He lives with his Mum in a nasty old flat with a mean landlord and bully son. When Marcus inherits Timothy from his enigmatic Uncle who runs a circus, it appears his uncle is dead- but all is not as it seems and Marcus, reluctant hero, goes off with a strange young lady who is supposedly the Uncle's fiance to find him. Bit of a cliched story considering, but a harmless enough book for kids to read!

62. Angela Brazil The Jolliest term on record.
When I went to Hay-on-Wye during August, CBC and I were most excited to find a 1920's first edition of this book. It's totally Jolly Hockey sticks and of the Malory towers ilk but I adored this public boarding school book and can't wait to read more of Angela Brazil's books! Trouble is, they're rather expensive!!!! It tells the story of 2 sisters who end up at a rather lovely boarding school. If you've read any Enid Blyton school book, you know what to expect! This book is special to CBC and I!
(It's at CBC's house, so I hope http://www.stellabooks.com/ doesn't mind using their image- they seem to have loads of Angela Brazil books so go there if you want to buy one!)

63. Charles Dickens The Christmas books: A Christmas carol, The Chimes, The cricket on the hearth
Like Gemma, I wanted to read some Christmas books and with the exception of a Christmas Carol, I've never read any Dickens and this edition had been on my shelf for years (like since Penguin did their £1 classics- bought in my 2nd year at Uni!) So I persevered with these. I've not met anyone else who has read the latter two stories, everyone looks bemused when I mention them. Have you read them? All of them have a moral tale at the Christmas time and show the plight of poor people . The Chimes, follows the tale of a Porter called Trotty who lives with his daughter Meg. The Church bells ring every day of his life and after being drawn by their ringing to the church cellar soon after Christmas, fairies take him to discover the fate of his family in the future! The cricket on the hearth was hard going at first. I had no idea what the point of the story was and found it rather dull until somewhere near the end, it suddenly clicked and a lovely message came from the book. Again, it involves fairies and showing people how things really are and I confess to shedding a tear at the end (in Durham cathedral!). I don't want to say more otherwise I ruin it, but they are worth a read as they're not too long although don't be despondent at the start, they get more interesting towards the end!

64. Carola Dunn Death at Wentwater court

I bought CBC's mother these for Christmas last year as they seemed like fun looking books she might enjoy. I didn't think any more of it until I read Dino-Princess Char's review of one of the Daisy Dalyrimple books a while back and suddenly realised I would LOVE to read that type of book and I knew someone who had 7 of them!!!! So, rather inwardly sheepishly, I asked to borrow them this Christmas whilst we were up there! Oh and what a GREAT range of books they are! I adore both Enid Blyton and Agatha Christie and these are like a combination of the two. There's a mystery to solve, lovely 1920's references, rather cracking Blyton-esque exclamations and a touch of romance! This first in the series tells of a murder that seems to involve an early morning ice-skating accident to a rather nasty piece of work! Of course, it doesn't pan out like that and the Honourable Miss Daisy Dalyrimple, newspaper reporter and photographer is on the chase, much to the reluctant yet admiring attempts by a Scotland yard inspector!

65. Carola Dunn The winter garden mystery.

I demolished this one on the train journey home- Daisy is off to write another article but visits a real battleaxe who is the mother of an old school friend. Death soons shows its face as Daisy discovers a boy in the flower beds and has to track back to find out who the murderer is! Wonderful again, all I could think is, "WHY oh why haven't you interrogated that person!!!!"

66. Carola Dunn Requiem for a mezzo.

Another wonderful Daisy Dalyrimple book- we see the relationship developing between her and Chief-inspector Alec Fletcher. I liked the musical setting of this one at the Royal Albert Hall and Verdi's requiem! I quite like poisonings in murder books- they are always very exciting working out who could have done what and I guessed right!!!!! Hurrah!!!

67. Keri Smith How to be an Explorer of the World

I actually finished this after midnight on New year's eve (A party animal me-ya?) but since I'd read the majority before Big Ben chimed, I counted it as a 2011 book! CBC received this for Christmas from his sister and it is a book that TOTALLY could have been written by me (in the sense that I've done lots of the tasks involved - not that I am clever like Ms Smith). It is a book full of tasks to get you to look at the world in a different way- to scrutinize, ponder, organise, appreciate, draw, write, classify. It involves thinking skills and awe and wonder. Each task offers you the chance to be an artist in some way- to look at things you have never noticed before- to slow down and regard the mundane as something enchanting! Adults who are young at heart and kids will appreciate this. The tasks include something like finding 30 found objects on your way to work/school/somewhere- classify them- describe them, describe differences; draw a sound map of all the sounds in relation to you as you sit on a park bench; collect pebbles and lay them out in formations; make a sculpture from materials you find; draw character profiles of people around you and much more! This is the type of thing that I love to spend time doing. A lovely book!

Have you read any of these? Have I tempted you in any way?!!!

New year celebrations and targets! End of 2011, beginning of 2012

2012-01-01T00:38:00.000Z

Happy New year blogging buddies!!!! I had such issues with computer, that several posts I thought I'd posted didn't actually publish. So I guess, the Happy Christmas one isn't worth publishing now!!! I never actually think about these properly and then I forget what I've thought about. Also Lauren of Someone like you made a good point that it you can get disappointed if you fail at them! Also, on a daily basis, I strive to improve things about me, so I need to actually work on things! I do love the fact about blogging that it somehow makes me think about things more!

Great things about 2011
2011 has seen many great things happen:

I performed a concerto with my orchestra for their 75th anniversary.
I began a drumming club at school.
I achieved a Distinction for my LTCL Music teaching diploma.
I blogged lots.
I read lots of lovely new blogs and got to meet lovely new bloggers including gaining a lovely new penpal!

I declared my hat obsession to the world.

I cycled lots! Completed the London to Brighton ride and then cycled Brentwood to Cambridge. bought my lovely bike, Celeste!

I visited the home of my ancestors, Greece! And learnt lots of Greek vocabulary.
I went back to my all-time favourite place Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire and canoed on the same wonderful river Wye which I longed to do. I capsized for the first time ever and I didn't die!!
I fulfilled a life-ambition and played Maria in the Sound of Music.

So much more than that, but I can't think right now! So many blessings unnumbered!
Resolutions for 2012:

1. I will have a tea-party in which I try to cook lemon drizzle cake and lots of other exciting items in my lovely Christmas present book- the vintage tea party. I will also try to make my own fascinator- which it gives instructions for!!!! Therefore, my birthday will not be a total last-minute disaster!

2. I will try to go to Lindy-hop classes once a week when I don't have loads of rehearsals on! CBC and I both love doing it, but when we go, because of musical committments, we don't even manage to go once a month!

3. I will compose at least 4 new songs or pieces of music. Only done a couple this year.

4. I will try to discuss my feelings a little more articulately. I am awful at this and I know that this is really important!

5. I will go abroad on holiday and get some sun so I don't constantly catch every bug that children bring in! Marrakech, here I come!

6. I will read some more classic books: Great expectations (Dickens), Treasure island (Er- Louis Stephenson?), (I'm wanting to say War and Peace but I'm scared!)

7. I will read the entire Bible- I am so rubbish that though I've read most of it, I've never read the whole thing in one year (er- Lamentations, I've avoided it!)

8. I will get my Guided reading preparation done before the night before.

9. I will learn to cook something new and exciting for dinner from a recipe! I have several recipe books that I have not used.

10. I WILL sort out and tidy my house properly and be ruthless with what I cull, though disposing of it in an entirely environmentally friendly way (Like Mrs Thrifty's 30 day house detox). Then I will actually maintain the state of tidiness!

11. I will learn to speak some Arabic (for Marrakesh!!)

12. I will see my family more than I have done this year- it is shameful to have only seen my 2 year old niece 4 times or so in a year.

13. I will do lots of cycling including at least one epic expedition!

14. Super secret target alla Stephen style!

So, 30 things with meaning and purpose and hopefully achievable! What do you reckon, are they ok resolutions!

Happy new year everyone- 2011 has been a great year for me in many respects, one important addition has been all my new blogging buddies- it is an absolute pleasure to know you and to be inspired by you!!!
And another lovely year with my lovely CBC and his family!

The embarassing Christmas Vlog Carol quiz Merry Christmas! Part 2

2011-12-27T13:41:00.002Z

The complete quiz is now available again on the other Blog post! Click on the other one entitled The embarassing Christmas Vlog Carol quiz Merry Christmas now working!

The embarassing Christmas Vlog Carol quiz Merry Christmas! Part 2

The embarassing Christmas Vlog Carol quiz Merry Christmas! Now working!

2011-12-25T18:32:00.004Z

Firstly, I wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas full of joy (Er- originally posted this on Christmas day!!!)
Missy asked me ages ago to post a vlog of me playing the flute- well, I didn't want to do this just for the sake of it (sorry! :-) ) and felt very self-conscious about it, but when I was formulating my Christmas quizzes, I wanted to try a musical round. I wanted my sister to be able to have a go at it (not in Northumberland) so I've posted it here so you could also have a go (much quicker than the other rounds). This is my first vlog- please don't be too harsh on me- I wanted it to be a bit of fun and I hope you enjoy it too even though it makes me cringe to watch it! Please let me know what you think of the quiz and if you did it, how many you got right if you did it!! We did it on Christmas day and generally people did very well!

There are 15 questions, I play the first 4 notes of a carol or Christmas song and then you write down what carol you think it is! Warning, there's nothing pop on here- as pop flute = meh!

Here's part one - questions 1-8

Part 2: Questions 9-13

Part 3: Questions 14-15

Part 4:
Answers will come at some point but I'm sick of waiting for this to upload! I'll post it seperately!

Oh and here are the answers to my other 2 quizzes!!!! If you haven't had a chance, go and try them before reading on..

Merry Christmas blogging world!

Down the tube answers
King’s Cross
Turnham green
Blackfriars
Parson’s Green
Mansion House
Burnt Oak
Chigwell
Borough
Barking
Maida Vale
Gants Hill
Victoria
Bond Street
Blackhorse Road
Elephant and Castle
Tower Hill
Snaresbrook
Swiss Cottage
Oxford Circus
Oval
Shepherd’s bush
Stamford Brook
Seven sisters
Chalk Farm
Old Street
Wapping
Angel
Gloucester Road
London Bridge
East Ham
Grange Hill
Neasden
Caledonian Road
Cutty Sark
Morden
Fairlop
Tooting Broadway
Boston Manor
Paddington
West Ham

The number quiz answers:
10 Green bottles hanging on the wall
21: Key to the door
24 Blackbirds baked in a pie
12 days of Christmas
100 Degrees Celsius= Boiling point of water.
1066 Battle of Hastings
12 Labours of Hercules
7 Deadly sins
7 wonders of the Ancient World
52 cards in a Deck of Cards
6 degrees of separation
5 gold rings in the Twelve days of Christmas
1001 Arabian nights
366 Days in a leap year
11 players in a football team
1760 Yards in a mile
14 Pounds in a stone
10 Years in a decade
5 Sides on a Pentagon
13 in a Baker’s dozen.

LBD Christmas stylie!

2011-12-22T23:53:00.000Z

I'm linking up to Tammy at Silverstyle, this week it's Trending Through the Decades: Christmas Style, go here to see how people of different ages style Christmas!

I went to a Christmas party on Saturday with CBC. At his old house, they always had a Christmas party but since they've all moved to new houses, it was held at another friend's house (very scarily huge and lovely!) We had all sorts of lovely food, hilarious Secret santa (so embarassing sitting on Santa's knee!) ...

I decided to wear a new dress I'd bought for Christmas back in October- it's from a local shop called Kush and it's made in the distinctive style of dresses they have in there (I've worn 2 others in this shape in previous blog posts, a flowery one and a blue and white stripey one).

I like its Skater feel and the velvet bodice plus I am wearing a bone-fide LBD!!!!

Accessorized with Claire's snowmen earrings and holly hairclip, Swarovsky star necklace (craft fair) and Peacocks totally super silver shimmery thick cable knit tights!!! Oh and my lovely Irregular choice a-symmetric dog shoes! Plus a touch of Urban decay glitter!!!

I've seen lots of other lovely people's party outfits! What's been your favourite one this year?

My personal fave is Alex at Odd Socks and pretty shoes!!

Speaking of Christmas, don't forget to have a go at my Christmas quizzes with your family!! See here and here

Christmas activities and quizzes for you with love from Kezzie x 2: Meanings connected to numbers

2011-12-22T21:58:00.001Z

Hello all! Hope you liked my Christmas tube quiz day one. If you missed it- check here for a quiz connected to London's tube map.

Today's fun family activity is connected to numbers with meanings! Take for example:

100 L on a C

Hmmm, 100 has lots of different associations. BUT 100 L on a C

Well, actually translated it is:

100 Legs on a centipede.

(technically, according to Wiki this is not so but I'm sure like me, you all believe the myth!)

So here is the rest of the quiz.

The number quiz round

Think historically, think mathematically, think cultural references- decipher what the letters mean in order for the phrase to make sense!

e.g. 4 C B in the T D of C = 4 calling birds in the twelve days of Christmas.

Or 100 C in a M = 100 centimetres in a metre

Clue:

10 G B H on the W

21: K to the D

24 B B in a P

12 D of C

100 D C= B P of W

1066 B of H

12 L of H

7 D S

7 W of the A W

52 C in a D of C

6 D of S

5 G R in the T D of C

1001 A N

366 D in a L Y

11 P in a F T

1760 Y in a M

14 P in a S

10 Y in a D

5 S on a P

13 in a B D

I have it as a Word document. Just leave me your e-mail address in the comments box if you want a copy of it (and the answers). I'll post the answers at a later date .

If you are unlucky enough to be stuck at work during the festive period with not much to do, also could be a good e-mail to send to friends!

Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think (and that includes you random person who was searching for a polka dot dress on google!)

Wearing: Emma Watson for People Tree dress, M&S Sequin jeans, Shooting stars handkerchief (worn as scarf) and shooting stars cinema handbag both Cath Kidston. Shoes- Tescos. (Lost for a year and then found in the electric cupboard where the electric metre and all the fuses are! Bizarre what one does to hide mess when trying to avoid the wrath of one's mother regarding said mess!)

Christmas activities and quizzes for you with love from Kezzie x 1: Tube map quiz

2011-12-21T21:58:00.000Z

Hello there mi hearties! Apologies for the Blog silence- this is due to lots of Christmas activities including packing, travelling to Northumberland and Northumberland activities thus far! I'm having a lovely time so far including having painted a ceramic bowl at a Pottery workshop (5 hours we were there- FIVE!!!!) this morning!

As part of our Christmas celebrations up here, we have all agreed up here to provide a round for a big quiz. I adore all the quizzes and games you can play with family at Christmas- it is the part of me that is still a child, that loves innocent, harmless fun! Therefore, as my Christmas present to you (amongst others!) I thought I'd upload my quizzes so you can share these with your family, if you like quizzes and fun interactive activities.
You can have a prize for each round (lucky dip? Box of sweets?) or an overall prize.

Today's quiz is the DOWN THE TUBE quiz based on London's Underground.

If you would like to have a go at doing this quiz- you can download the London Underground Tube map from here (useful to have a go at if you are considering coming to London- familiarise yourself with our illustrious train system!). You could also do your own version based on your own train system.

Disclaimer: SOME of these are made up by me (the bad ones like the Channel island one!) some were ones I obtained in a quiz night some time ago so thank you to whoeever thought these up and I am sorry I can't acknowledge you directly.

I have it as a Word document. Just leave me your e-mail address in the comments box if you want a copy of it (and the answers). I'll post the answers at a later date .

If you are unlucky enough to be stuck at work during the festive period with not much to do, also could be a good e-mail to send to friends!

All the answers to the following riddles are the names of London Underground Tube stations.

CLUE:

An angry monarch

Make ‘em sick

Monks with dirty hands

Ecological vicars

Richard Whittington’s des. Res

Charred quercus robur.

Dorian’s domain?

Cockney rabbit ‘ole

Woof woof

Created a valley

A mound of dyslexic mosquitos

She was not amused.

A place to Live and Let Die!

Would you find a branch of Lloyds Bank here?

Babar and Balmoral

Could this be where the chief executioner lives?

Catches a rabbit by a stream

Alpine Dwelling

A university with a big top

Elliptical

Flockwatcher’s flora

Chelsea’s home by a stream

A lucky number of nuns

Where you cultivate calcium carbonate

An ancient thoroughfare

A description of the enormity of this station

Gabriel?

Doctor Foster practices here

Is this station falling down?

Oriental pig

TV school

Patella’s lair

A Scottish thoroughfare

Chopped he, a smaller channel island?

Bigger than?

A just cutting?

Trumpeting New York thoroughfare

A big house for a tea party?

Famous ursine visitor?

The home of capitalism’s swine?

ENJOY and let me know what you think!

Merry Christmas from the Gentle Shepherd of the South East!

Victorian school marm (with subversive holly!)

2011-12-17T00:23:00.000Z

At last, tis the end of term- my Christmas work is almost over! I thought I'd include this shot that one of the teachers took of me during our Christmas service at School this afternoon. It shows you just how delighted I was by how well my children did! I'm smiling proudly at them as they sing! They sang, played and read magnificently and the world premiere of my new Christmas carol was a success!

Twas a busy day as I began the day travelling from CBC's house in darkest Essex, praying fervently that the snow would stop and not settle since last year's service was cancelled! I then practised the songs with the whole of Key Stage 2 whilst the other teachers went and enjoyed the lovely breakfast treat provided by our head teacher (what a kind gesture from her).

This evening, my church choir performed with a local choral society at our church. Usually, I go for more glamarous dressing in black but since our church is freezing, I decided to go for the warmer Victorian school marm look (great skirt that conceals trousers, subversive coloured tights and boots)

This skirt belonged to my Nan who died around 14 years ago- I always wear it when I go to the Ragged School museum at school.

The jacket was a charity shop purchase some years ago, squirreled away for Regency costume opportunities although it seems more Victorian.

It's hard to see it but the lovely necklace was what I received for Secret santa!! It's so sparkly!

Miss Haversham eat your heart out!

Darn it, can't stop the smiling! Miss Haversham, take your heart back out your mouth!

Couldn't resist a bit of subversive holly!!! (thankyou Claire's!)

The concert was actually really lovely- we were all dreading it rather but it was wonderful! I gave my second performance that was a world premiere that day- a beautiful carol by an 80 something year old lady from my church, who was a prisoner of war in Malaysia during WW2- this carol was one she wrote on Christmas day in 1944 despite the atrocious situation she was in - proving the true Christmas spirit can be found in the most unexpected of places and I take as a lesson to myself to be joyful in all things! So, again, I say rejoice!

Where have you found Christmas cheer this yuletide?

Sloshing the acrylic paint around!

2011-12-15T01:35:00.001Z

Ahrgh blogger how annoying you are! I NEVER know what order it is going to upload pictures in and of course it does it backwards to what I expected!

I decided to make a pair of earrings for my Secret Santa at school as she loves buttons and has the most gorgeous Cath Kidston necklace made of buttons. So I decided to use some of the cute this lilac buttons I have to make her some (my first experience with jewellery pliers and jump rings. It wasn't too painful. I then recycled a small eyemakeup jar to house them in which I covered in buttons (see left). I was rather pleased with them

I've also made a little red pair of my sister (she doesn't read this so tis ok for me to post!)

And another lilac pair for my pal M. Again, I've recycled a packaging item to house them in. I've adapted this mint tin by covering it in buttons- except that I left the 'sugar free' label as it amused me!

Oh and here are all her gifts! I was quite pleased with what I managed in this case for the fiver! Stripy socks, a cute mug with a cable-knit cosy and marshemellows inside and then also a cute grey beaded bracelet (not shown)

The craft began on SAturday with Christmas card making! My main 'ingredient' this year was white acrylic paint and recycling tissue boxes and a tofu box!

Firstly, I used a design from Papercraft inspirations as I initial inspiration (and basically copied for the mini-gingerbread cards)

I stuck a piece of paper at an angle and then sponged acrylic paint along (graduating quantity)

Then did the same with some small scalloped squares cut from an old tissue box, an old brochure and an old blue envelope which looked like an interesting night sky. Not at an angle!

Then with one or two larger cards, I experimented with roughly sponging a graduated acrylic paint border around the edges of one or two cards.

Did the same with a few more...

Then got a white gel pen and made some snow dots

...On every single bit of acrylic-attacked card...

Then, using the outside of an old tofu box, I made some mini gingerbread men (details in white gel pen)

And then made one or two large gingerbread items...

Then I punched a large quantity of black card bristly looking trees!

I noticed after this, that I had somehow punched them in a dead straight line from the sheet of black card, all the trees equidistant from each other. My thrifty mind thought, "Hmmmmm, vot haf vee heeer???"

Putting all those ingredients together, I made the following...

Here's the final set of Christmas landscape cards

And a close up!

Here are the 3 bookmarks which were basically the negative from all the black Christmas trees I punched, (my cunning plan). I like to think that I was being enviromentally friendly and liked the thought of people being able to USE the card I sent through the post!

Here's the final ones of the bigger range.

All in all, rather a success. Now what else can I make for Christmas?

Hello stripy! (It's another hat homage let them eat hats 29 or something like that!)

2011-12-13T22:00:00.000Z

That's what they said. ALL. BLOOMING. DAY!

Come on and join in the 60's dance class! We're doing the 'swim', 'the pony', the 'dive', the 'pose', and the er 'hands on shoulders'.

Oh and I'm wearing a lovely old hat. (from Accessorize) - I found it when searching for an elusive glove (it remains so)

Hop hop hop to the lindyhop stop!

2011-12-12T18:21:00.000Z

Hola mes amigos! Greetings from a warm laptop in front of the fire! Thanks to Nicole and Gwendolyn, I have been watching Meet me in St Louis (I know ALL the words as I was in it as a child!) and blubbing along with Judy Garland! Now I am watching The Prince and Me (tacky Julia Stiles chickflick but I love it!!) I've been a little headachey so I've stayed at home when I was supposed to be going out to play Christmas flute music! Last night I went to Suzy Q at Wild court in Holborn for a night of swing dancing! Usually I wear a 1950's look but I decided to go for an earlier 1920's look.

We attended 2 classes at the start- one was a beginners' lindy one- which taught all steps I'd learnt before but it was good practice. The second was a Charleston class and everyone told me I was dressed for the part!!! After that, my hair was in a complete state of disarray (as usual!)

At 10.30pm, the most exciting event happened- the London Swing Dance Society's annual Lindy competition!

10 couples lined up and took it in turns to dance on the floor. They were AMAZING!!!!! I have no idea how they moved at the speed they did- with all sorts of amazing air-lifts- we as the audience had to indicate our favourite choice as our votes decided the winner...

10 couples were whittled down to 8, then later 5, 4, 3, and finally the winners were announced- a fab couple with the cutest smiles- they did a hilarious slow motion bit near the end.

My camera isn't great in the dark, but I quite like the way the speed comes across in these shots!

I went with a friend and her friends who'd never been swing dancing before!! Here we are. (Just seen, weird beaded handbag on my lap that a fashion student who was working in a second hand shop chose for me when I asked him if he had anything 1920's when I went to the Chap Olympiad last year!)

I really tried with my hair- I reaally did! As mentioned before, I am bad at this! I tied my hair in 2 loose plaits and then pinned them up to try and create the boyish cut look. Then a black jet-bead style headband topped it off! (black jet bead earrings)

The dress is actually a Monsoon long dress, but when I played for a Great Gatsby production some years ago, I chose to wear a scarf around my waist and attempt to swag it up higher in order to create a midi-length,drop-waisted look! (Ignore the ugly pre-makeup, I-went-to-bed-at2-every-night-this-week face!)

Both necklaces are thrifted!

Have you tried swing dancing yet? You must!!!!!!
So what've you been up to this weekend??

Two birds- too cold to take the cardie off!

2011-12-11T18:24:00.001Z

It's Two birds day again! Yay!!!! Hmmm, I had a vague idea in my mind of what this look was! I decided to wear it at the weekend as I wasn't going to be wearing it for school. Twas a good thing as this top has been in my cupboard, unworn, unloved for a year!

Anyway, here is my really nothing like it, take on it!!!

Trousers in that colour would look dreadful on me so I wore my Festive M&S jeans (11 years old!), Asos grey top (which has the same sleeves as hers, except it was too cold to prove it to you, F&F cashmere cardigan, Asos Alice in wonderland necklace, Newlook earrings (present)
and my ubiquitous purple desert boots (liined with black sheepskin insoles!)!

Go and check out less tenuous versions of the look!

Cinderella

2011-12-09T19:08:00.000Z

Thanks to Denise and Laura for best wishes regarding the observation. It ended up going well in the end, despite going to bed at 2 and getting up at 6.30- the children really enjoyed it (Quote R: "This is the best science lesson ever!") and overall it was graded as 'good' so that is a blessed relief!

I feel a bit like Cinderella at the moment. I've just got home before choir. It's the staff Christmas meal and evening out and as usual, I have rehearsals to go to since it is the penultimate practice before our Carol concert and the service. As I left school this evening, staff who live far away were all dressing up donning their finery, putting on make-up, chatting and laughing and were just about to set out to travel to the venue. I've been too busy to think about it anyway and actually think much about it but as they went, I was suddenly struck that in the 5 Christmases I have been at school, I've not once been able to go to the Christmas evening out and felt a little sad! I emphasize that I do want to be at practice, to support my fellow singers, to be the best that we/I can be so don't feel sorry for me but then it made me think of being at school. Likewise, I never ever went to a school prom, dinner, disco, Christmas do- not in Junior school or Secondary school, again largely because of these events always falling at the same time as performances. Christmas as a musician means busyness! I am dedicated to my art so this is a choice I made, but I was suddenly struck by it!

However, in order to make sure I felt with it and bright for school today what with the ob and all, I decided to go for monochrome and wear this Monsoon skirt that bizarrely I only ever seem to wear in December! Am enamoured with keeping cosy in cashmere this winter! (thank you Tescos!)

Have you ever noticed I put my head on the side a lot? It drove my Mum (and hairdressers) mad when I was a child, teenager but recently, I was finding out about my eye-condition on the internet and apparently it is something that people with morning-glory syndrome do! So now I know I have an excuse for it!

I've been wearing my rabbit necklace all week! I love it except when in my maths lesson today, my children were far more interested in watching it reflecting all over the ceiling as I moved during the end of the lesson- I was like, "Are you going to learn anything from watching flashes of light on the ceiling?"

Ahrgh!

2011-12-08T22:20:00.000Z

Remember I spoke about teaching observations and the terror?
I have one tomorrow. I am really really nervous. I am trying something completely new. I have no idea how the children will respond, I have so much to do before going to bed! I don't want to do badly but I feel like there are so many factors that could go wrong! Oh heck I'm panicked! I just wanted to say it to the World in hope it might make me feel better!
Help!!!!!!!!!

A vintage affair

2011-12-08T19:10:00.000Z

53. Isabel Wolff A vintage affair

I thought I'd give this its own post as I know lots of people like vintage dressing! I bought this for my swap-partner but as I was on the bus on the way home with a finished book, I somehow found myself reading it and then couldn't stop!

This book tells the story of Phoebe, a vintage clothing expert. There is an evident mystery regarding her best friend Emma who it transpires is now dead, a romance which Phoebe has flown from, left a great job sourcing vintage clothing at Christies to begin her Vintage village shop in Blackheath village. The details regarding vintage clothing items are really intriguing and I found myself saying,"Ooooh" as I read about the items in her shop and those she bought from an old lady. Another mystery of the book is an old blue coat, kept unworn since 1942 by an old French lady- Phoebe sets out on a trail to find the best friend that this lady, like herself, feels responsible for the 'demise' of. This was a beautiful, heartfelt book with lots of lovely clothing details throughout.

The joy of sound and vegan Thai red tofu!

2011-12-06T22:07:00.001Z

Today was our second visit to an elderly home. It was not attached to a hospital but was a residential home for those with early dementia. Another freezing walk ensued to reach there but once again my young charges were in good spirits. We arrived at the entrance and came into a wonderful central atrium with cockatoos, lovely comfy wing back arm chairs and sofas and an gallery above where people could watch from above. Unlike yesterday, the people came to us so it was more like a concert to them this time as we could sing our entire programme to them. Slowly but slowly, they came to sit and we began our performance. The children took in lines in between 2 pillars and I was in the background playing the keyboard (near to the required plug socket that would not trip anyone up!) As we sang our first item, Once in Royal David's city, and 3 sweet-voiced girls sang the solo, I heard a lovely voice coming from behind me. Unable to turn around just in case I made any Les Dawson-type mistakes, I couldn't see until a gentle lady slowly shuffling along with a zimmer-frame went past and smiled sweetly at me whilst joining in.

A very appreciative audience listened to each and every performance of traditional carols, The Holly and the ivy, Good King Wenceslas, Deck the Hall, O Come All ye faithful, Silent Night, Away in a manger, and our special choir items, See the star of Bethlehem and The little road to Bethlehem and said how much they'd loved it. A lady said she hoped we'd come again (I replied in the hopeful affirmative!)

Some of my Year 6 girls were enchanted by the old gentleman in the GI jacket who came and sang 2 World war 2 classic songs to me at the end and asked him if he'd been in World War 2 and were most excited when he said he was (they're studying it at the moment). I just thought how wonderful it would be for their year to come down to the home and just be able to ask questions, and listen to the amazing reminiscences of these 80 something year olds - they'd really appreciate the benefit of oral history from ordinary, local individuals. I really hope to teach the children in KS2 some more World War 1 music hall songs (I taught them It's a long way to Tipperary last year) so we can come and sing in the Spring term again.

Again, it was an honour to be there to sing and share with these older people who have worked hard all their life and now find it difficult. I thought how nice it would be to go and sing songs from the musicals to them
I can take no credit for going to sing there apart from jumping at the chance as we sang there due to teachers and staff at the school who had links there- I just am delighted for any opportunity to serve our community, give my choir experience of singing to real people and sharing the love of music. It's about them, the old people and the choir, not me.

When I got home tonight, I made a great Vegetarian/Vegan dinner which I thought I'd share with you all. I am not either of those diets though 80% of people I meet think I am for some bizarre reason!!! Do I look vegan to you?

It is Thai Green tofu and vegetable curry (not made the proper way but the cheap and easy way!)

I used:
One garlic marinated tofu steak, cut up into pieces. A carrot, some French beans, A courgette, vermicelli (rice noodles), Thai Green curry paste, creamed coconut (dried), olive oil.
Here's what you do:

1. Chop up and quarter-slice a courgette, use a vegetable peeler to create carrot strips from one carrot. break up French beans with hands into small pieces (quantities entirely dependent on wim)

2. Heat a little dollop of olive oil in a saucepan with a dollop of Thai-red curry paste (I've had this tub for years- it's still going strong!) -dependant on how spicy you like it (mine was the size of tablespoon probably).
Mix them together as they heat.

3. Hurl your chopped veg (I would've used pak-choi too if it hadn't gone moudly...) into the heated saucepan after 2mins or so (I have electric hob so need to wait for it to heat). Mix it around with a wooden spatula for some 3 minutes.

4. Suddenly remember that you need to boil the kettle. Do so and break off a small block of creamed coconut (cheapy alternative to coconut milk) into a you-sized quantity of hot water and mix until it's sort of white liquid.

5. Chuck in the coconut milk into the veg mixture.

6. Break up tofu (I used some pre-marinated garlic tofu which didn't take long to cook. Check your tofu's instructions) into pieces and leave the lot to simmer for a couple of minutes.

7. Break off some dried vermicelli from the block and leave to swim in a bowl with boiling hot water for 5 minutes under a lid.

8. Drain your vermicelli and serve into a bowl.

9. Pour your Thai red tofu and veg curry on top of it.

10. For added decoration, flavour and fun, add some dried onion (like the salad crunchies) on top as you serve it. This is what they did in Bali with dishes and I kept the habit!

I've done variations of this with tempe, puy lentils, chick peas and just an assortment of veg (and chicken of course). It's really easy. (I like the meat version as much as the vegan one- I just happen to love vegetarian substitutes except Quorn which is SPAWN!)

Voila- tasty, cheap, quick! All a bit disorganised!
Clear as mud???

Oh and soon, for your delectation, I have some Christmas entertainment activities you could try with your family which I'd quite like guinea pigs for!

Singing upbeat, Sunday upmarket!

2011-12-05T20:13:00.000Z

Hello! Brrrr, it's cold today! I've had a lovely day with special moments. I took my choir of 9-11 year olds to sing at an elderly nursing home at a nearby hospital. They were in good spirits walking up there. We sang in around 6 cluster lounges to a variety of residents some of whom were very very ill and the joy and delight and emotion we beheld in their eyes at the sound of the children was truly wonderful. It made me feel truly humble and priveleged to be able to offer the gift of music and reminiscence through the voices of my young proteges. I think it is so important for our children to serve the community they work in because it gives them a real sense of humanity, love, giving and humility- they were touched too. 2 particular old gentlemen were really affected by it- one had been a church organist for 60 years before he finally went blind, another conducted us as we sang. An old lady called Lillian had a tear in her eye as we left and the smiles were ample reward for the long walk there. There were many who could not speak and some who didn't seeem to respond to us but we do not know the blessings that we give in life sometimes. Tomorrow we are going to sing at another Elderly care home and I am glad and honoured. It will be the third public performance my choir has given in 4 days.

These photos were taken yesterday up at Spitalfields where I went Christmas shopping with CBC. I adore it there- so many pretty things to see, admire and wonder at. I may have mentioned before, that I am seriously rubbish at doing my hair! Pretty much all I can do is a scruffy pony-tail, a plait, bunches and twisted up (which always falls down). Inspired by my vintage feel dress (Pearl Lowe at Peacocks last year), I decided to try and do something different with my hair which worked out quite well and will try again if I perform a Great Gatsby music theatre piece again or Cabaret!!

Notice 2 unsmiling shots. CBC told me I need to be more natural! But I feel stupid in pictures so I just grin manically! Not sure about this serious expression. My past is littered with so many horrid unsmiling photos of me which are so unflattering!!! We had tea, hot chocolate and cake in the lovely Market coffee house which we always seem to visit which dispelled the winter freeze. (I wore totally unmatching grey tights with butterfly print on! Just seen..)

Didn't buy many presents unfortunately, except we paid a visit to Sunday Upmarket on Brick Lane where I bought this gorgeous bunny mirror brooch for my friend Anne and this bunny necklace for me! I wish they'd done earring versions!

Inspired by Gem at Dreams of life in the country, I am reading a Christmas book - notably, DIckens, A Christmas carol and 2 other Dickens Christmas offerings not yet previously read. This is the first year in 4 years where I haven't been teaching a Literacy unit based on a Christmas Carol (my best Literacy plan ever I feel!!!) and so I felt bereft!

How's your Christmas shopping going? Are you up to any pursuits that are geting you into the spirit of it! It's great being both a) a primary teacher and b) a musician as I am totally immersed in it!!!!!

Black lace- the Christmas album!

2011-12-04T00:08:00.000Z

I just got home from a wonderful concert with my orchestra! We played a fun programme of Janacek, Falla, Mahler and Faure with a lovely flute solo for me that went well- yay!!! The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas, an enormous tree and around it, the lights of Knightsbridge were shining and the Winter Wonderland glinted in the background! I do so love playing beautiful music penned in the hands of a master composer! It is a wonderfully, community-orientated, shared feeling, playing in an orchestra!

I wore my newest black concert dress which I bought from Matalan after seeing Laura's post on Matalan festive-wear. I figured it could double up as a lindy-hop dress!

I discovered it was perfect for flute-playing, despite the boning in the top half

Alas, no camera to take pictures by the amazing church Christmas tree!

Alas, I have lost a 'gem' (what does one call a cut piece of Whitby jet?) from my Whitby jet-necklace- anyone have any advice on where I could get it replaced or something in London at all please?

How are you today?

Strike - a teacher's perspective

2011-12-01T19:49:00.001Z

So today is the Teachers' strike regarding pensions. I know that there are a lot of different opinions out there and there are definitely reasons for and against striking but here I wanted to share my thoughts FOR the strike. Stephen at Part 3 presents a really succinct and convincing argument for them which I recommend reading.

All consuming- marking and assessing
Now, first things first - as a teacher, my life really isn't my own. It really is all consuming. I experience intense guilt, misery, disappointment, stress, low self-confidence and exhaustion on a regular basis. It is not a job you can leave at the door like many jobs (and in fact, most unless you are self-employed)- it is always ongoing. Every evening, I go home, making my dinner, filled with dread that I have got to mark x number of books (4 lessons a day, 31 children- theoretically that can mean 124 books a day. And it really isn't a case of just ticking. Has the child achieve the objective? Give them a task and identify corrections, tell them what they've done well, tick sheets to fill in- Literacy marking is the worst. Marking a piece of writing takes me at least 10 minutes per child) Admittedly, PE and Art don't necessarily need marking- but there is now assessment data for those to keep up with. Has Child x achieved the learning objective? Is Child b able to throw a ball with accuracy and a variety of techniques? Can Child y weave paper in a variety of ways?   And even ICT isn't free from burdens- assessments, evidence files, assessment pieces. And I nowadays, have it much easier than many other teachers in terms of the 2 days I do music- so I don't necessarily have marking for those, though there is written evidence to scrutinize, recordings to upload, edit and name, work to look at, responses to listening, compositions to consider. Tick sheets galore.  I'm now supposed to keep assessment sheets of the key skills that children have achieved in music.

The workload and guilt
The guilt- if I choose not to do any work one evening, then guaranteed I will suffer for it the next day.   I feel guilty, depressed, and useless every time I teach a lesson that goes badly. Everytime a child does not listen, fails to understand something you are teaching, I take it personally. I feel I have done badly, no matter how long I have spent preparing for it. You can and are expected to adapt work for 4 different abilities (for every subject) (and don't get me started on how long making resources takes.) and a child, for various reasons, may fail to get anything out of it. Conversely, when a child really gets something, it is wonderful- but sadly, there are so many extraneous factors at play that you can never guarantee this all the time.

Planning
Planning any lesson takes an incredibly long length of time. Again 4 lessons a day x 5 days =20 lessons. People say, "Why not just download something from the internet" or "Oh you can use last year's plans." Well, regarding the first, even searching for resources takes an inordinate amount of time. Finding something suitable, something that is adapted. I can wade through 6 pages of links before finding anything suitable and then I might not find anything (and this can be plans or sheets), even just formatting a lesson plan takes ages.      And if you don't have the resources to match, that is a drain on your time, finding those, checking they are working (if a set of light bulbs), copying them, trimming them to size. Regarding the latter, if I am doing my job properly, I have to look at the specific needs of a group of pupils, they are very different and what works for one will not work for another so every plan must be adapted

And even if it weren't for that- every single stupid, meddling government attacks education, changes the expectations, the goal posts, puts their own demands on the system. They just can't leave it alone. In the 5 years I have been in the teaching profession, things have changed completely, new things have been added and taken away all the time.    Literacy and maths has gone from one framework to another, a new horrendous way of assessing called APP has been introduced, first for writing,then reading, then maths and now this year, Science- all this affects your planning to ensure you are able to find evidence for these targets. We've had Primary modern foreign languages being squeezed into the timetable- we've had guided reading added (well this has been for a while), in my school, KEY SKILLS have been introduced for every Foundation subject- it's supposed to be called the Creative curriculum- so everything has to be linked up, with attached targets, your planning must include those targets and address those, and since every other teacher in your school has had to introduce new plans, then the 2nd year you discover that X target has not been addressed so you have to replan for this. Or a particular skill has gone. The government constantly slags off teachers in the press- we're not doing our jobs properly. OFSTED breathing down you spine. (And consequently, head teachers breathing down your neck in preparation for it. Work scrutinies, marking scruitinies, action plans for your subject, monitoring other teachers who teach your subjects if you are a subject leader)

Scrutiny- 3 exams a year
Did you hate exams at school? Especially ones where you were being watched?     Now imagine you have to sit 3 exams every year in which instead of being a written paper, you are watched by an examiner, I must have 3 observations a year where another senior member of staff watches me. Except that there are 30 totally random individuals who could throw a spanner in the works- you have to consider their individual learning styles, make use of ICT, guarantee progress has been made, deal with disruptive behaviour, manage another member of staff if you are lucky enough to have an assistant, make sure YOU and the children are assessing their own and their peers progress and show this through a variety of ways, and more.
It's terrifying. I am someone who actually doesn't mind exams too much- I previously mentioned that I have taken over 40 practical music exams in addition to regular recitals at university, GCSEs, A levels and copious observations during my PGCE. But even I am terrified when I am observed and lack total confidence in my abilities when it comes to my observations.

Training constantly.
Considering the decisions we have to make on a daily basis, the workload, in no other job are you expected to spend 1.5 hours every week (Staff INSET= acronym for In service training- every Monday), receiving training in addition to others.

Dealing with hostility and disparagement from the Government at the top, down to petty parents who, because you have so much to deal with, seem to think it their duty to undermine you and put burdens upon you, headteachers putting too much upon you.   (I should stress at this point, that there are many, many wonderful, supportive, lovely parents too and my headteacher has a good heart and wants her school to be good)

Decisions
I am not a decisive person, as anyone who has ever asked me to make a decision will attest to. And yet, every minute, I am forced to make decisions, which cannot always be predicted. I hate it. One small example: Child x has hit Child y apparently, according to Child y. Yet Child x denies this and says that Child y hit them. Who do you believe? Do I deal with this now and totally interrupt my lesson and affect the other children? Do I say I will sort it later and put up with whinging and more subversion over the next hour? Do I believe Y and not x? Will x then do something even worse to pay back x? Will w get involved and cause a further problem? Will Child x continue to be disruptive in order to make the point they are still cross? This is not good for my stress levels.

Already agreed
As Stephen states, the pension agreement was already in place and we have paid into something and to now be told that it is changing in 5 ways to make it worse, well that does not seem fair. Stephen says:

We're not setting up public sector pay and pension arrangements from a blank slate. A particular set of pay and conditions were agreed, including the current pension arrangements. And simply trying to change those unilaterally is wrong.

If it was YOU, Mr or Mrs non-teacher, how would you feel if you were told- "Right, even though you expected your pension to be like this and you've been providing for a certain moment, despite the fact we don't pay you loads, now, you will have to work another couple of years when you are old and tired, despite the fact your bosses will want to sack you, humiliate you as an older teacher because employing young whippersnappers is much cheaper and you can bully them more (seriously I have known it happen in many schools). Oh and we're freezing your pay for some years and then it will not increase with the cost of things, and you're going to have to pay more money to us and then get much less in the end." Sound good? We're being really generous!

And those bankers would throw an absolutely barney if their situation was changing like this- yet it's not for them! We don't get bonuses and unless you teach, you have no idea of the hours.
One of the few pulls in teaching has been the pension. We certainly don't go into it for the pay!

Teaching and old age
You really cannot do this job beyond a certain age- it is very physical, the hours, the levels of enthusiasm, the mental strain, clambering on ladders to put up displays, running around a playground, demonstrating, modelling, staying up late marking, running after school clubs, reports every term (and don't even get me started on how long these take), all that marking, assessment procedures. I reiterate that headteachers (except enlightened ones) want to get rid of 'expensive' older staff. I am only 30 and the thought of doing this for ANOTHER 38 years terrifies me.

Discouraging potential teachers
In addition to my teaching and marking, I plan for and run 5 extra-curricular clubs, 2 assemblies. And it is not a case of just turning up and doing it. I have to practice myself, I can't just do it, find repertoire, suitable music, format it. (I spent a year and half going to 2 hour training sessions on Thursdays evenings for my musical development in the school including 30mins travel either way) I do this because I know I have a skill that I want people to share. I came into teaching because I knew I had a lot to share with children and it was not a decision I took lightly if you care to read the archives of my blog (and read of the misery or beginning) Dumbledore says of music in Harry Potter Book 1,

"A magic beyond all we do here...".

I want children to develop their soul, to have this wonderful outlet for creativity. I want to give my expertise to them, to help them to find their voice (and Bonnie that includes you! I would be delighted to help you find your voice!). Our world loves music. And when the children delight in it, it fills my heart with joy! When they burst into spontaneous and delighted applause when they have sung a song together as a community perfectly, I could burst with how wonderful this feeling is.

Surely, we want the best people possible to teach and train our children?
Surely we want to encourage those people who have skills to nurture, encourage and help our young people achieve greatness but right now I would tell anyone considering teaching to run a mile!

The other side of the coin
I know we've all got to do our bit to help the economy and many people are suffering in many ways from cuts and difficulties which is horrible but attacking the foundation of training and building young people that can achieve great things to help us (and this does count for other public sector workers as well, I am just talking from my perspective) help our economy does not really help. Sure do one of these proposed changes to our pension if you must but not all of them!

I do understand if people say, "Well I don't get a pension like that for doing my job and I work really hard" and I agree with you in that sense. I am aware that compared to some pensions it must seem much more generous (I presume) and I know, whatever job you do, it is hard, stressful, makes you feel like you cannot cope with it. No one's burden can seem harder than someone else's because it is YOUR burden or situation and knowing that someone else's is 'easier' or 'harder' (I say this because those terms are subjective) does not make yours seem any harder or easier for YOU and I would never have the audacity to say that anyone's job is easier than mine, because I have not experienced their particular situation. I can only comment on my situation as I see it- that someone is changing something that I expected. I will accept my lot whatever it is and will not moan about it regardless of the circumstances, but I wanted to share my perspectives. I could say so much more but I am aware that I have written rather a lot and I am sure you switched off ages ago! I am also aware that I sound very negative- I don't like that especially as there are some great things about the profession, I like to be positive and see the joy in life rather than the gloom - however this is offering my justification for why I think that the cuts are wrong! (and I need to ensure my blog doesn't become too frivolous!!! Some gritty issues every now and again to make me think!)

What do you think though?

Blanket skirt and another hat! (Let them stop eating hats- they're pigging out number 29!)

2011-11-30T15:59:00.005Z

Bonjour mes amies! How goeth it? Well I hope! Thanks for your kind comments on my furry outfit! I'm glad you love it also!

Today was another CHILLY day so I decided to wear a blanket to school! Well- one that appeared to have been made into a skirt. I bought this from a decidedly-dodgy looking vintage seller (he looked very nice but you know...) at Spitalfields market some months ago for half a tanner and it was almost the one that got away! I decided that I had too many clothes and gave it as part of a mass bag of clothes to my sister. I then thought better and asked for it back! Not sure what era it is but it's toasty warm. Twinned with grey cabled tights, Peacocks Peter Pan Polka dot collar dress tucked in, old belt, cameo and the shoes that make my feet look small (AGREE WITH ME OR ELSE!!!!! ;- ) )

When I put this together last night to wear, I thought of one of my favourite bloggers- Tuppeny-Happeny who wears great skirts of this sort of shape and all the lovely skirts I see on Penny Dreadful's weekly vintage links- oh what a lovely weekly post that is! The beautiful and sublime!

Mind you, I got completely soaked on the way home from school? Drowned rat?

And a new hat which I bought on Sunday whilst waiting for a bus as the wind was attacking me and I'd foolishly come out without one! Just a Primarni staple but I'm already rather fond of it!

I don't usually talk about school things on here but can I just say how irritating I find things sometimes. I try my hardest to meet the musical needs of our children (indeed any needs that I can) so when some parents said they really wanted their KS1 child to sing in a choir, despite being overstretched as it is (I do KS2 choir, orchestra, recorder club, drumming club as it is outside of normal classtime in addition to leading 2 assemblies), I organised a special KS1 choir this term, in response to this and said children were invited along. And then today I hear that one of the parents complained that her child had not finished their lunch because of coming to choir! Which do you want? I cannot make your child eat their lunch- that is their responsibility- I am not their eating overseer, I just tried to do a nice thing for your child by giving them a chance to do something they want to and you wanted them to! I didn't get to eat my lunch and rarely do, but do I complain about it? Grrr!

Tell me your woes and joys and share your day!

Furry days!

2011-11-28T19:10:00.000Z

I'm really having fun taking part in the Two Birds inspiration Monday! It makes me think creatively about combining clothes I haven't worn together! Today is no exception. Up here is Jessica Alba rocking a cute chilled look incorporating several of my favourite things- furry materials, big scarves, flarey-legged jeans, blue and smiles! Hop over there to see how everyone else styled it!

And here is my take on it (urgh, indoor photos! No lunchbreak for moi!)

I'm wearing my dainty Rejkavik camel loafers again, White-stuff cords, M&S Per Una floral applicait/appliche/applicet (I really can't spell that word!), miscellaneoud cream and gold pashmina, and furry shrug from local shop, Kush

I've had this lovely furry shrug for 2 years now and I've literally worn it twice- I'm never sure where to wear it, as it's quite warm, so I thought inside wasn't suitable but I loved wearing it to school today (as did all the people who kept stroking me!)- I felt warm and loved all day and it meant when I ran around into the playground to fetch classes (without managing to grab my coat as usual), I wasn't cold for once!

So- too OTT for school? I felt maybe a little so, but it was worth it for the comfort and actually wearing this thing! I'm off to check everyone else's takes on this...

How are you today? Thanks again, for recent loveliness in visits!

In which I pretend I am a fashion blogger and pose with my hand on hip!

2011-11-26T11:05:00.003Z

(But as usual the cheesy grin gives it away!!!!!! No, I shall never do mean and moody or pouty or I'll look like a salmon! I don't do fashion- I just like clothes!)

Ahgrh, am so tired! I went to bed at 2am, was woken by CBC arriving at 3.30am, was then woken by CBC's alarm at 6.15am!!!! Sleeeeeeeep! I had a lovely time out last night though with 2 dear friends who I don't nearly spend enough time with.
For want of something original to write, I decided to take photos of my totally comfy outfit worn for school on Wednesday, to model new/old blouse bought the previous weekend. First day back after the lurgy, I feel much better so thank you for your kind well wishes and prayers! (as you can tell, I started writing this post 2 days ago, but got distracted!) My day was fairly easy so I was eased in mercifully.

Excuse the pale face of post-ill! Here we have that thrifted Topshop blouse in candycane shades with Boden thrifted Tweed trousers plus Zara green (current) old man cardie. And these shoes which I must point out make my SPADE-like feet look positively dainty! I bought them on a 2-day trip to Rekjavik 11 years old and they never fail to make me actually think my feet stand a chance of looking feminine!

And I leave you with a picture of the afternoon sun in Stock, Essex over the green. Ah... fresh air...

How are you my lovelies? And that includes everyone! Don't be shy!

That hat was made for you! Let them eat hats giveaway!

2011-11-25T18:55:00.001Z

The 23rd November has apparently been and gone- at least, I discovered it was so when I wrote the date on the board this morning! Chaos in my classrom reigned as my kids carried out an investigation into 'What variables affect the brightness of a lightbulb?' (the length of wire, number of bulbs and batteries according to their results!)

Anyway, so here is the prize....

I put all the names on slips of paper into my new blue glass.that I bought in a charity shop last week (thrifted is what you mostly call it!)...

Gave them a stir.....

And picked one out....

And so the winner is Ceilia at Monday receptionist! So please can you leave me your e-mail address in the comments box and I will e-mail you to get your address in order to send the hat to you!

**If I don't receive a message after 2 weeks, then I will redraw it!**

I enjoyed finding out about your favourite books! The only one I'd heard of is Char's I think so that was a revelation!
I'm off out for dinner and choir practice before that! Ciao bella!

Beauty of the day

2011-11-24T18:14:00.000Z

Dappled gold paints swathes of hues across my face
from an Eastern lilting sky
And bunches of humorously-curved leaves
Hang like bunches of toasted bananas
From hardy, proud branches.

A glow of heat resonates in my well heart.

Love Kezzie x

Remixed patterns

2011-11-23T18:30:00.001Z

Have you entered my giveaway? 2 days to go! Enter here.

If there is one thing I am gaining from taking part in inspiration Mondays, posting outfits and reading Sophie's 30 x 30 remixes, is finding new ways of combining clothes. I bought this skirt last Saturday and posted it- worn with a demure pussybow blouse and mink coloured heeled boots. So I tried to find a new combo for school on Wednesday and this is what I came up with. I'm really not sure about these grey polka dot tights- don't know it seems a bit incongruous wearing grey tights but otherwise I was quite pleased- I've never worn this navy polo neck with anything other than under the M&S striped dress it came with, so wearing with with the tank was a pleasing find.

Oh dear, more shots with miscellaneous items left on the floor!Can anyone recommend a good program (free) for editing your photos on a PC. In the past I've tried to use paint with is pure evil!

I'm not sure these purple boots match- hmmm, that seems a good reason for buying some navy blue boots...

Hope you are well!

Heartfelt and humbling. And Jane Austen

2011-11-21T20:47:00.002Z

Thank you for your concerns and sweet comments- I'm still not feeling great- continual heartburn, stomach ache, nausea and trapped wind that comes in waves but I feel better with the kind concern of all of you!

I've had this post half written for ages, but I thought I'd finish it off.
50. Don Richardson Lords of the Earth:

Surprisingly, I haven't read that many books about missionaries in other countries, only home evangelists but before you think, yuck, missionary books, this is an EXTRAORDINARY book- biographically, it tells of how the Yali, cannibals, living a life of fear of death came to know Jesus. The story tells of how missionary Stan Dale and others brought the gospel to Irian Jaya (the Indonesian part of Papua New Guinea). The story begins with heart-wrenching accounts of how a child and members of a family were slaughtered because they dared to accidently tread in a sacred area. Women of the Yali were hated and suicide rates were very high. The whole of these tribes in the Snow Mountains lived a hard existance. The account moves to the early life of Stan Dale in Australia. A boy of diminutive height, bullied at school and by his father, he found faith in God through the chance hearing of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If.". The account tells of the trials and tribulations of sharing the gospel in such a culture. When I think of how much the missionaries went through, down to giving their life for the gospel, it makes me ashamed of my petty little grievances that I face in my life, when others surrender their all for the sake of the Good News.

51. Pamela Aidan Duty and Desire: The Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman trilogy, part 2

Witch craft in Jane Austen's story? NEVER! But I kid you not! In a bid to escape his feelings for Miss Elizabeth Bennett, Darcy decides to attend an old university fellow's house party. However, strange things are afoot there- there seems to be some sinister, inexplicable events going on that hint at witchcraft. Darcy is seeking a wife but as he finds himself drawn towards a Lady, it is only his feelings for Elizabeth that save him from utter devastation!

This book was utterly captivating and full of great suspense!

52. These three remain - Fitzwilliam Darcy Gentleman trilogy

Reeling from the events from the previous book, Darcy finds himself, just as he has decided to forget Elizabeth, thrown back into her path at Rosings where he proposes. This book is really interesting as it helps to gain an idea of how Darcy changes into the person that Elizabeth meets at Pemberley and shows how he managed to find that scoundrel Wickham! I found myself willing Darcy to gain Elizabeth's hand. This book was lovely and I thoroughly recommend it!

Would you read any of these books?

Oh and my giveaway closes in 2 days so go and get commenting if you haven't already in order to win! Go here to enter!

Dotty about you!

2011-11-19T15:36:00.000Z

Hello from the depths of feeling ill misery! I'm not quite sure what's wrong with me but I've got rotten bunged-upness, headaches, Pains in my lower back, aching tummy, feeling queasy, sore muscles and feeling generally exhausted. It just makes me think about how wonderful it is to be well! Woe is me!

Anyway, yesterday, we had a fund-raiser at school for Children in need where we had to come in wearing spots or dots. Everyone made a great effort I must say- there must have been a real run on spot stickers in Tescos and in all the clothes shops. I saw this as an opportunity to wear some of my favourite clothes plus a little creativity. I wore a red spotty scarf around my hair plus a thrifted red-spotty cardie, with Cath Kidston long-sleeved spot top underneath for warmth and on top, a blue vintage dress with red and white spots on it (plus net petticoat)

On Wednesday, I was pondering about accessories- I wanted to be a little creative so I decided to make a necklace and earrings to go with the outfit.

All I needed to make this necklace was a star-shaped punch, a larger star-shaped cookie cutter, red and blue funkyfoam, Pebeo 3D pearlescent touch paint, and some red thread.

The earrings proved a little more problematic until I remember I had a pair of red-heart shaped earrings that I could use to attach the stars to.

My head was really taken with the pattern of the dress. I quite-liked it too.

Alas, I could not find my red-spotty ballet-pumps so I wore these red ribboned slingbacks instead.

Granny-stylie wearing of long-sleeved top underneath!

All in all, I was pleased with my effort- it's such fun getting dressed up for a specific purpose!

How are you today?

Just call me Lara! (Let them eat hats 28)

2011-11-16T19:42:00.000Z

As I walk to school (20mins), I have to layer up! Not feeling well, I decked myself in furry things. And I wore this hat. Sufficed to say, everyone keeps calling me Lara and saying that I was a star in Doctor Schivago! And everyone keeps grabbbing the hat and trying it on!Haven't had time to charge phone batteries yet so here is an old shot! I am wearing about a million jumpers under the poncho and a big goose body-warmer! This is a boxing day 2010 snap, taken when we walked to Lambley viaduct in Northumberland (can you detect the old railway tracks under the snow?). The poncho was a kind, kind Christmas pressie from CBC as I could not wear a normal coat due to broken wrist plastered thickly (ice casualty). I adore this hat- it's sooo silly! I bought it on Christmas eve or there abouts in Corbridge from a shop called Joyce Anderson after I saw the shop owner walk past me in a green version of it. I asked her where it was from and hey presto, 5 minutes later, I too had a sheepskin hat! That was good advertising on her part! It's very warm! (CBC wears my ear muffs!).

I remember the day fondly now. It was glorious to be out and about, surrounded by nature, calm, quiet, tranquil, surrounded by dear family (CBC's but I count them as mine). I felt so happy with the wind upon my cheeks, walking wrapped warmly in layers, warm sheepskin boots, having fun, glorious skies, clouds soaring above. What is Christmas without enjoying the delights of the outdoors!? All my most lovely days or occasions at Christmas or New year have involved being in the great outdoors, all the more so last year because I'd had to stay in and be so careful with 1 broken and 1 sprained wrist so being out was wonderful!

The grim Ripa impression!

2011-11-14T20:19:00.001Z

(Not referring to her, rather my impression of her!)

Hello on this freezing and lugubrious Monday! Thanks again for your recent visits! I've enjoyed reading your kind and thoughtful comments! Once again, I decided to give Inspiration Monday at the Two birds a go! Up this week was Kelly Ripa, who looks really pretty and lovely but can someone enlighten me as to who she is and what she does?

I thought this was quite a nice look to try as it could easily be adapted for work. I dug out my black suit jacket from Oasis with blue pin-stripes which I have had since I was 17 and have worn for every interview I've ever been to since Uni apps and not much else! So that's 13 years of neglect then! It was nice to find a reason to get it out, poor neglected item. It felt very strange wearing this for work all day as I always wear a cardigan, not a jacket (I take them off at the door).

Teamed with pashmina and thrifted trousers from years ago, Dotty P top from the summer sales and my trusty brogues- no high heels for me when doing dance and music with year 1.

Speaking of which. Trying to teach a ceildh-style routine to 5 year olds on your own? Not a good idea! There are some things that just REQUIRE help!

So how did I do? I might try to wear my Corduroy jackets for work more after trying this!

Go to the link above to see how everyone else styled it!

Oh and I am having a hat giveaway with the chance of a second prize also! Enter enter enter here!!!

Who will buy this wonderful morning?

2011-11-13T18:29:00.000Z

Good Evening! Hello to friends old and new! It's lovely that you've popped round for tea! Wasn't it a gorgeous day!

I figured that I always enjoy drooling over other people's thrifted purchases that I would share some that I was pleased with from yesterday!

Here's what I wore to church today. The blouse and and skirt are Topshop via St Francis Hospice. The velvet jacket Gap via Fara (fortunate I found this since my dear Mum appropriated my Camden velvet jacket for herself!) . Clarks original desert boots (Schuh) and fake fur handbag (Kush)

I adore this silk blouse which is soo soft and comfy, purchased yesterday as was this skirt. I've been looking for a lovely blouse like this in charity shops for a while, so I was so pleased to find one in my size!

The bow is already tied for you which is a mercy since I can't tie bows properly. Have I ever shared that? I cannot tie bows in the proper way- I can only do Bunny-ears bow. (Like Sophie, I don't pluck my eyebrows. I don't care if they look horrid! I do however wish I wouldn't squash my chin in that way)

I quite like the quirky fabric on this skirt

And I finally wore my mink-coloured Clarks originals desert boots which I bought at the same time as my ICs from Schuh- very pleased- they are so comfy!

I felt the floaty floral nature of the blouse needed a white flower in my hair. Purchased for around 20p in a Balinese street market.

Here are the boots up close. Oh dear, how is it that there is always so much miscellaneous junk in my photos! Must tidy, must tidy!

And here are my other St Francis finds from yesterday- 6 lovely old blue glasses which can be used to drink out of and for lovely desserts! Rather pleased with them for 50p each. (More miscellaneous junk in the background- eeek!)

And another Topshop blouse which will be lovely for layering under dresses! Again, I wanted a lovely natural fabric blouse of this kind!

Have you found any thrifting delights recently?

10 reasons to be thankful

2011-11-11T22:22:00.000Z

WOMOTM I hope you don't mind me using your photo?

Christmas Day, early 2010.

1. For those who have died that we are free, that we are not oppressed and we need not fear. Thank you for their lives and sacrifice.

2. For the joy of the weekend.

3. For a good day with a colleague with whom I've had some difficulties recently.

4. For the beauty of songs and inspiration.

5. For the love of my family and that they are safe.

6. For the beauty of nature that touches my heart in its amazing simplicity and complexity.

7. For warm, soft slippers.

8. For not having too much marking this weekend.

9. For those who welcomed me to their midst as a sister and love me for who I am.

10. For the gift of words- how you, I and others can share one or two simple words and help, comfort, console and encourage. I thank you.

What are you thankful for?