Preparing the sideboard for a coronation ...

 We are looking forward to the coronation of King Charles 111 on the 6th May 2023. Shropshire has a connection to King Charles 11 who took advantage of the Royalist support in our county when he fled after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. King Charles was hidden in a series of loyalist estates before he made his way to the coast & to France. 

This route in our county is known as Monarch's Way - I blogged it last year. It is local to me & I visit those woods quite often at White Ladies Priory & the nearby Boscobel House ... 

Last June, we put up on celebratory flags etc with Queen Elizabeth 11 momentous platinum jubilee. We were on a canal holiday so we flew our flag bunting on the boat, had our afternoon tea on the patriotic tea towel that comes out regularly - such a happy time wandering through villages along the canal & to see it all decked out in flags, bunting & flowers. 

With several busy weekends ahead, I decided to start on the sideboard.  Familiar things you will remember from the Jubilee last year but they go well. The inglenook fireplace in the lounge will still get the larger pretty Cath Kidson floral flags but I am pleased I have made a start on it all. I love the set of teaspoons (bought on  the Ludlow market years ago) as they depict a crown, coach, orb, cathedral etc. I think they were commemorative spoons for one of the late Queen's celebrations but they are much used here. 

These are previous ones - in 2018 

in 2022  and the Platinum preparations 

Are you looking forward to or will you be watching the coronation?  I will be joined at home by friends as I love to host a 'watch party'. The sideboard is ready with the newly made miniature bunting that looks just right. It is always more fun that way.  

Dee 👑🤴👸

Making some miniature coronation bunting ...

 You know how much I love changing our conservatory sideboard for seasons, events or celebrations. With the coronation of King Charles just weeks away, I decided to make some miniature bunting for the sideboard. 

I wanted the flags to be single sided ones, hanging only on a string to make them light & airy.  I had no pattern, just an idea in my head. A friend spent the morning with me & we cut out the shape, I sewed a straight fold over at the top  & then we both stitched little crowns, castles & cathedral charms on the bottom of each. 

I used blue & red fabric with a gold speckle & a pretty Union Jack on a cream & gold background. 

What a fun morning until I ran out of the crowns for the Union Jack ones. I ordered more charms online. 

I decided to thread them on white string, making two of the strings with alternate flags in red, white & blue. I have started on the sideboard & am rather pleased with them. 

I made 2 hanging pendants for the drawer handles too in a similar style to match the bunting.

I rather like it - what do you think? 

Thank you for stopping by, 

 Dee 👑

Happy Easter from our home to yours

Wishing all who stop by a happy Easter, however you observe it. 

Our local church always puts up 3 crosses in our suburb - one at each street leading in. They always looks impressive against the backdrop of the bright daffodils. 

We started our Easter Sunday with small pancakes, fruit, yoghurt, maple syrup & coffee.  

The conservatory table has a yellow cloth - the first time it has had that colour scheme but the brightness is welcome & it echoes the many daffodils about at this time of the year. 

I potted up a bowl of locally bought bulbs in flower & have cut flowers from the garden for the house too. They are a riot of colour which is exactly how the garden is at this time of the year. 

The sideboard is less cluttered this year but with various things happening soon, it makes changing it easier. 

Have a lovely Easter weekend & thank you for stopping by, 

Dee 🐣💕

Shropshire’s waterways ....

I love the eclectic motor ways of old - the canal system that winds its way through our county of Shropshire. It was such an important part of moving goods around, especially the fragile pottery goods from the many factories that the county is known for. The iconic bottle kilns are still evident - a nod to the past ... 

It was my birthday on the weekend & my request was simple - to revisit the tiny Whittington castle & then to visit the canals. I grew up with space & it is space which I love ... 

We found the Montgomery canal which connects to many of the other canals, particularly the spectacular Llangollen canal with its majestic aqueduct ... 

We came across the Frankton Locks - a series I did not know about. The locks raise & lower boats across the countryside. They are essential. 

Last May I joined Ms M & family on a canal boat for a week - it was the first time I had slept on one or got the hang of the canal gates & locks. 

The Frankton Locks are a narrow section with deep, high gates - these date back to the 1790’s which was an amazing achievement. 

We had a lovely walk along the canals & I could just feel my mind clearing in the bright sunshine.

A perfect birthday for me - just being out in nature, doing what I enjoy doing. 

Where is your happy place? Tell all & thank you for stopping by. I appreciate each & every visit & a share is always appreciated. 

Dee  💕

Apple & citrus cake

 Sometimes you need a quick cake to use as a pudding - my go to recipe is the easy Victorian Sponge that uses just 4 ingredients that most kitchens already have. 

I peeled & cubed 3 normal eating apples to put on the top.

The sponge mixture is:

180g self raising flour

180g caster sugar

180g butter (I used a plant based butter) 

3 eggs

Preheat oven to 170-180c (fan or normal oven) 

Cream the butter & sugar well, add the eggs one at a time with a tablespoon of flour to stop the eggs curdling. Add the remaining flour & mix well - don’t overmix. I added a teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavour. You could add mixed spice or cinnamon to the mixture if liked. 

I buttered & floured a deep pan - put all the mix in, smoothed the top then put the cubes apples on top, sprinkled a little brown sugar on top then baked it for 30 min at 175c, checked it & gave it a few more minutes until a skewer came out clean. 

While it was baking I cut up a small orange, a pink grapefruit & a lemon. I brought them to boil in a pot with enough water to cover it.  Once it was soft, I squashed tge fruit with a masher to release the flavours, added some soft brown sugar & boiled to use as syrup on the top of the hot cake when it came out the oven. I strained it through a sieve to use. It made about 150ml of syrup. 

I pricked holes in the top of the hot cake & gently spooned most of it over the cake. We had it after supper with natural yoghurt or ice cream. It was really delicious warm & generous slices were enjoyed …

I hope this has inspired you … 

Dee 🥮