The harder I try

The harder I try.

The harder I try the less I fit in , I've been wanting to fit in my whole life , you might understand you might not. Take my prom for instance , I couldn't afford a dress in fact the cat fared better than I did at home at the time.  My parents were divorcing and my dad other than wanting the custody of the cat didn't help much,  the cat ate better than me.

I was reduced to eating boiled eggs on ryvita , and whilst this might sound like I'm playing the victim as I've been touted about in various sections of life , you know nothing of what I've been through this is but a snap shot.

I borrowed a dress to my prom , I didn't have a prom date , I walked myself there and back, seeing my friends being taxied back and forth and I walking alone in the dark.

Survive.

I have been doing this my whole life.

So do excuse me if I am overbearing, try too hard to be your friend ...

But can you see beyond and see the real me.

The harder I try.....

Foragers Blackberry And Apple Upside -Down Pudding

The foragers season is closing fast so the other day when cycling back down the sloping lane with the sun shining I stopped as soon as I saw the blackberries! Lucky for me I was carrying a suitable container.

Ingredients

200/3 1/2 caster sugar ( put into 100 g piles)
200g/7oz blackberries
1 Large cooking apple
200g/7oz butter or low far spread unsalted
3 free-range eggs
200g770z self raising flour or plain if you only have that ( but if you use plain flour be sure to use baking powder )

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

Heat 100 sugar in a saucepan until it begins to caramelise, add the blackberries and cook for 4-5 minutes , or until softened. Set aside to cool.

For the base , cream the sugar, then fold in the flour.


Layer the sliced apple in the bottom of a suitable pudding tin i.e. a brownie run in my case.

Spoon the caramelised blackberry mixture into the cake mixture and fold in or you can spoon this onto the apple if you wish then spoon the cake mixture on top.


Bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until risen and golden-brown.

Swarkstone Pavillion The Beggars Banquet

 

Stunning isn't it.

Not only was I capturing the Swarkstone Pavillion in my photographical memories but I was also walking in the footsteps of British rock icons.

  

When you come to these historic places you expect to punch drunk with history , cil war battles a plenty , secrets all the way back to 1632. This is a stones throw from where I live , I see it almost every day and my heart is happy.

The building has a stunning intricate line and its stunning form punches many a inky blue sky , and when iridescent shafts of light shine upon it I'm in further awe.

The building is owned by the Landmark Trust, which restores fascinating architectural gems and rent them out to adventuring  holiday-makers.

I could happily lose my inhibitions here , raising up past the battlements to the toilet hoping that won't scare any ramblers.

Swarkstone Pavillion is just one of the properties of the Landmark trust.

You with me so far  ?

No not heard of them then let me explain they were set up in 1965 as an alternative to the National Trust and the Ministry of Works ( sounds a big Hogwarts to me) Their aim to rescue historical buildings that others might not be interested in. These properties in each and every way are as exciting as a  full sized ~ castle or manor house. Rather than letting you peer at these properties from behind ropes they let you stop in them as if they were your own manor. The Landmark Trust actually restores these buildings so members of the public can stop in them. 

Prices vary according to the time of year and the number of people that can stop at a property varies according to the size of it.

I  enjoy adore buildings like these , they are are happy with time , they wish you to be their custodian of them . Many have asked to hold buildings here but the Landmark trust don't allow it they put all their energies into the buildings and keeping them for posterity.

R is for Rock and Roll * kicks drum , tosses guitar out of the window.

Meet The Air Puppy Cuddle Crew

"Where being individual is the only way to fit in "

A new range of plush soft toys will land in Boots Uk stores and boots.com September 2014. The Air puppy few is full of fun characters ( in fact the elephant is typing this now), each with their own unique personality. From the chilled out pals at Hickory shack, to the gentle farmyard friends of Hedgerley Farm and the long legged chums from Burford Yard , there's an Air Puppy for every child.

Each member of the cuddle crew has their favourite place to hang out , whether it's a row of beach huts at Hockory Shack with Maddyfox Monkey and his friends Woogie Zebra and Burrowbliss Bunny, or down Burford Yard with lifelong pals Patch Puppy and Peachtail Lamb. Children will love to create their own adventures with the Cuddle Crew, following their motto "Where being individual is the only way to fit in "!


Available in a variety of sizes and made from the softest plush material, the Cuddle Crew are extremely huggable and are prefect for all ages as their first toy. Each of the Air Puppy collections has its own unique style.

You can read the Air puppy stories and follow their adventures on their Facebook page

Air Puppy will be available to purchase from larger selected Bots UK from September 2014 from £12.00 upwards.

And I think it is a toy to remember and treasure , do you remember your first soft toy ?



Disclosure I was gifted the air puppy Elephant and was not told what to write. he is going to live with a colleagues of my husband who is expecting a baby.

My Heart Felt

Heart felt.

This the the village lodge cottage, I am forever wandering round , there is always something new to see.

I wanted to go by the river today but instead I got caught up putting the bunting away, which made me sad.

When the bunting was all gone, I took myself off down the lane towards the church which drew me in.

I've been so lost these past few weeks but I have found my way. My friends have been there for me and I'm greatful. 

I've found my photography eye has returned and I am tweaking my angles.

Looking forward I look back I see past mistakes yet I grow. If we don't face the past we don't learn.

My passion is what I see if I thought about what I did then I wouldn't be who I am.

Also today I kicked the leaves , I hope to go blackberry picking again. So I can last have autumn tripping upon my tongue.