Evening all! Hope you have all had a lovely weekend (and half term if it applies to you). I have had a nice few days pottering at home (anyone who knows me well knows that 'pottering' is my fave activity and no one knows what that actually means!). Andy had Friday off so we went for a walk with Bodie (who is much better - thanks for all the good wishes) in a gorgeous village called Miserden. It is a proper picturesque Cotswold village, where spookily all the houses are painted in the same shade of cream. We had a great walk through the woods and back through the village. The only downsides were that the pub was closed when we had finished the walk and I forgot the camera so I couldn't take any pics to show you. We may go again tomorrow (as it is our new favourite walk) in which case I will try to get snapping! We came home and cosied up in the usual Pascoe way - hot chocolate and a fire. Bliss. The sticks to the right of the fire are kindling that we collected on one of our walks that I couldn't snap with bare hands and feet! 
Yesterday we went to do some shopping and I got some more bargains at the charity shops.
A lovely glass footed bowl and a huge jar of buttons, of which these are some of the nicest.
A pretty enameled brooch (sorry about the blurry photo)
These gorgeous candlesticks.
These two books. I love the story of Lorna Doone but have never owned a copy of the full length version, and I already have A Christmas Carol but couldn't pass up this fab cover.
And a replacement for Bodie...at least as far as Ruth is concerned. You can see the worry in Bodie's eyes already! I had one of these when I was a child, and I couldn't resist getting it for Ruth. Needless to say she loves him and even wanted to take him to bed. We compromised with making a bed for him on the floor. At least this one doesn't eat metal objects, nor does he roll in fox pooh, so actually I am coming round to Ruth's way of thinking!
The rest of the weekend has been very enjoyable too. I went to see my friend Elaine's husband in a performance of "The Witches of Eastwick" yesterday afternoon, which was fab. It was very funny and well done. Elaine took her children and was wishing she hadn't as it was a little risque and was expecting some awkward questions when she got home!
Today I tidied the dining room and sorted out the dresser. I am feeling a bit hemmed in at the moment due to the huge amount of mess everywhere, so I made a start in one corner! I managed to fit in my new tea sets, but must try not to buy any more. Once the girls are back at school I will have a go at some more sorting, even though I am meant to be using every spare moment to sew and create. I did spend a couple of hours trying to crochet a cupcake this afternoon but it was so rubbish I can't bear to show you. I gave up in the end and regretted even starting as it meant I had missed out on 2 hours of tidying. Oh well, there's always tomorrow!
We also popped to the (sadly neglected) allotment, and I am not one to brag, but just check out these babies!
The biggest one took both Andy and I to lift it into the car. We did have another slightly smaller one which I gave to my friend Olivia on the way home from the allotment as she rang me having read my previous post with masses of pumpkin recipes - thanks Liv! I gave her the smallest one, not because I am tight, but because it was the only one I could lift myself out of the boot of the car! And, she has already frozen soup for 18 and made several pies so she may already be pumpkined out. She's coming for lunch on Thursday, so pumpkin it is (just kidding - please come!).
The 3 people to get their names in the Pay It Forward club are Louise, Driftwood, and Starry. Please email me your address so I can send you your goodies. Please don't expect it imminently...craft fair sewing is taking up all of my spare time for the next 3 weeks at least! I am working on it mentally though.
Well, I am off for a bath whilst Andy watches the final of 'The Sopranos'. I really wish I was into it but I have such a problem with understanding accents (I think it is even a form of dyslexia) that I have been banned from sitting in the same room when it is on because I am always saying "What did he say?" just at the wrong moment. I therefore have no clue about what is going on, and am better off wallowing in a bubbly bath than irritating Andy!
Hope you are all relaxing and enjoying the extra hour!
Cathy XX