Kid-Eco DIY Olympic Torch

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Mrs P

I have really enjoyed watching the torch fly through local towns and cities this weekend .. and on the 16th July the torch is due to go right past our front door in Arundel…

The kids are VERY excited and the theme for the procession is GOLD, and a little stuck for something to make – and I found these Kid-Eco Olympic Torches to decorate.. It comes in white, for self decoration and the kids are already planning their design.

The company are also holding a competition for both individuals and schools for the best decoration…

Get set make …

Hollywood Stars Hit Arundel

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Mrs P

Regular readers will know how much we love our home town of Arundel in the midst of the Sussex Downs … being a tiny town of 1000 with such a beautiful Castle, Estate, Cathedral and National Park on our doorstep is a bit of a blessing. So on Fridays school run when we saw a big hullabaloo going on by the top Castle gate we had to have a nose!.. only to discover it was the ‘Press Junket’ over the weekend before the world premier tonight of Snow White and The Huntsman

So in situ was Kirsten Stewart (cue teenage screaming girls), Charlize Theron, the dashing Chris Hemsworth (Thor – so my son was VERY impressed), and Sam Claflin…

Kirstens beau Robert Pattison was celebrating his birthday this weekend so was also in town (cue even more screaming girls) and was staying in our local posh hotel Baliffscourt by the sea..

Hoping a little bit of the glamour will rub off on us all … but as of today normal service is resumed in our sleepy town, as the Hollywood Universal Studio machine has headed back up the A23 to the big smoke for the world premier tonight…

PIC 1 – In Arundel Castle Duke of Norfolk Private Quarters with the Keep in the background for the official cast ‘photocall’
PIC2 – Kirsten by the Chapel
PIC3 – Snapped in the main hall
PIC4 – Chatting to press near the Earl Collectors Garden
PIC5 – Mr Pattison at Baliffscourt on his birthday
PHOTO CREDITS – to all the local fans and official press junket!

Arundel Festival

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Mrs P

Today was the end of the 10 day Arundel Festival, now in its 35th year. The team have once again done a splendid job for the town and the mix of arts, music, theatre and quirky British events mean there is a real buzz and family atmosphere to the town for the last week of August every year.

This year I had to withdraw from the Arundel Gallery trail as I have been quite ill (am due in for an operation next week), so it was nice to spend this week out as a punter enjoying all that the town has to offer… plus I get to launch lots of new bits for Christmas instead. (Apologies at this point to those who knocked on our door hoping to see the exhibition)

We started the week at the top of the hill in the launch parade with the kids (and a Chinese Dragon show!?*!). They spent a whole day crafting in Jubilee Gardens (with free face painting) and won medals for their efforts with dressing up, which now have pride of place in the kitchen.We saw Shakespere in the Earl Collectors Garden with the GB THEATRE COMPANY, and Show Tunes and an Opera in the Barons Hall – both within the grounds of the stunning Arundel Castle (at the end of our road!)

Free music, and arts were on everywhere.. including the Gallery Trail which is a trail through every artists home in the town.. now in its 26th year.

The week ended with the Annual duck race and a superb free fireworks display featuring lit up hot air balloons… we feel lucky to live in such a vibrant and creative hub and hope you find the time to pop along and enjoy the festival next year.

Feed the birds…

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Mrs P

My 5 year old daughter is a Rainbow (a group below Brownies that didnt exist when I was a lass) and every Monday she comes home filled with new ideas about being kind and helpful… this week it was for the Birds.
Apparently it is National Bird Feeding Week… there is even a Bird Feeding Society..! I have become used to these kinds of defining weeks since she started school.. and it always makes me smile that there seems to be ‘a week’ for everything.
Having googled said ‘week’ it turns out it is a whole month … with weeks set aside for bird boxes and all sorts of stuff..
This week it is food.
So with my rib of beef dripping and a touch of lard and a pinch of seed from the grocers in town (18p!… I must have been the last of the big spenders) we set about concocting some home made bird feeders.
First up – the egg box – a delight on the rose arbour as modelled by the perched black bird.
Second a pine cone – rolled around in fat and seeds – a favourite of the tits and smallers birds
Finally – the old plastic cup with string in a hole trick – making a bumper fat ball for the shed!
I enjoyed it far more than I care to admit – as did Mr H… who made an artform out of where to hang them.
Happy Munching Migrating birds… x
…. now what is next week anyone?

Christmas Arrived in Our House

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Mrs P

Christmas arrived a little later than normal in our house this year… you will be aware that we have been a little inundated!.. normally everything is up on the 1st by order of the kids!
But as we turned into the 2nd week of December, my 5 year old daughter had waited long enough and decided to pull rank and organise her dad up to the loft and put the girls on decorating duty.. Mr H pulled in our 8 foot beauty from the garden and I managed to make the 2 reception rooms look suitably festive and hide the carnage on the other floors!!
We bought a few new bits for this year as I found a stash of vintage decorations on one of my shopping trips – which I was more than a little excited about.. the taste level is pure kitsch and colour (very on brand we feel) and super sized too this year.
We found a fresh garland in town and garnished it with pom poms with a monster paper one as the centre piece in the snug … whilst the new glass decorations adorned the ‘grown up room’ and tree.. scattered as well as hung! We also filled up our bay window with the 60cm massive pink bells – now there’s a statement piece for you!…
Now for that glass of mulled wine… and sneaky mince pie!

Pom Pom trims

Our retro advent calendar from Uncle Chris

my favourite decoration

closely followed by this…

… and of course Santa x

Arundel By Candle Light

Posted on December 12, 2010 by Mrs P

Yesterday was the annual Arundel By Candlelight – organised by local traders in our town, it has grown in stature over the last couple of years.
We have been a little light on the blogging front of late – simply because we have been up to our eyes with Christmas Orders. So it was lovely to escape and lose ourselves in the other side of the Yule Festivities. Father Christmas turned up with his elves – and his proper beard and lovely manner made me believe all over again… and the kids were thrilled with their gifts, posting their letters into his little post box.
The Live Nativity is always a crowd pleaser, and the sheep and donkey were very well behaved this year! Plus the lantern bearers swelled in numbers to light up the town with their lovely lights.
After a few glugs of mulled wine we felt truly festive…
…. now to get back on with the packing!!
PS – pants photo quality courtesy of my broken phone x

Down on the Pumpkin Farm

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Mrs P

Today we ventured up the road to the Pumpkin Farm in Slindon to view this years display of Pumpkins and Squashes… and buy a few for carving.

Sadly Mr Ralph Upton (the farmer) died last year and there was speculation that this fantastic local tradition was going to come to a close… but his son Robin has stepped up to the mark and I hope that he is suitably thrilled with the result. I know our kids were.

With pumpkins and squashes from 50p to £50 there is something to please all… whether looking for a Ghoulish Guord, Tasty Squash or Perfect Pumpkin… (including the ‘pus spot’ ghourd modelled by Mr H)

The whole village get together.. and the local ladies open a tea room for the week with the mother of all flapjacks and homemade pumpkin soup (50p). Open till Sunday 31st – if you are in West Sussex it is well worth a visit.

We came away with a SACK FULL!… Now to cook and carve !

Happy Birthday Guides

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Mrs P

Happy Birthday Girl Guides!

My little Rainbow (only had Brownies in my day!) had her centenary promise today (along with the rest of the Sussex Guiding Movement) – at 20:10 on the 20/10/2010 … their chosen moment to celebrate… followed by super Sussex Fireworks.

It is still a fantastic organisation, supported by some great volunteers and old fashioned values…. this year they have been on LOADS of camps, trips and outdoor adventures in celebration, heavily subsidised by the organisation.

Good old fashioned fun we say. Dib Dib Dob Dob and here’s to the next 100 years!

Autumn Harvest

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Mrs P

This weekend we had our farmers market in Arundel and it was also the inaugral Food Festival in the town. Celebrating all that was local and fresh - the local farmers were out in full force showing their wares!

We are big fans of Daylands Farm – as they are the epitome of a small local freehold who grows popular but also a couple of ‘crazy crops’ to provide something a little different. This year they have gone Gourd and Squash crazy – trialling a mad variety of Pumpkins, Squashes and decorative fare.

We bought up the super sized pumpkin, pumpkins, 5 varieties of squash and lots of gourds ready for our Halloween Party decorations. We will let you know how we got on with the various recipes – but our quick lunch on Saturday was roasted squash, which was mashed up with 1 boiled potato, butter, cream and a tablespoon of dijon to make the most divine mash to go with our new season Venison sausages…. winter fare indeed.

Also in town was the local Cross Bush Farm Shop, who bought along their combined harvester and lots of old tools and different grains for the kids to touch and feel! My 2 were straight up onto the combined harvester …. and then we popped off home to make some bread with his freshly milled flour… and dry the last of the madly coloured autumn flowers for christmas decorations.

The kids had a ball – and it was one of those days when we felt a little bit in love with Sussex and the town where we live – especially on sunny Autumn days like these.

Magic Mushroom Walk

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Mrs P

After a weekend filled with work deadlines – we took some time out today, and Mr H whisked me off for one of our favourite walks over the downs and stopped at the very top for a minty hot chocolate (see recipe from last year)… which was his little and quite perfect surprise. The downs were an Autumn delight this morning.

As we wandered through the shooting woods on the way back down we saw a LOT of mushrooms. Now as you know we are keen foragers, but mushrooms have always scared the bejeebers out of me… one wrong pick and you’re a goner!

The best moment came as I stumbled across my first real live red dotted toadstool (the favoured choice of many a crafter on Etsy at the moment) I truly felt like Alice in Wonderland ….

So I decided to take pictures of all of them – and yes there are a lot! In the hope that some of you out there can tell us a) what they are and b) if they are edible??

So over to you guys – they are numbered and named in our own little way – so comments and formal naming welcome….