"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly, In chase of such vanities why should I roam?While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."*Beatrix Potter

Monday 9 March 2015

Early March at the Cottage

Spring has really sprung here in our small village, the sun has been shining & now the work begins in the garden. How good it feels to be outside working & getting close to nature after the Winter.
The snowdrops are covering the ground all around the village, a beautiful green & white carpet, so graceful & delicate. They grow like they have done for many centuries a pure tender little flower bringing joy to all of us.
New life is everywhere, buds are bursting in the hedgerows, daffodils are nearly in flower & the grass is springing back to life.
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We had strong winds one day last week & one of the huge Rooks nests came down, such a large pile of twigs on the lawn. I felt so sorry for the birds & was hoping it was an old nest no longer used, there was no sign of eggs.
The rooks home at the end of the garden.
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Spring has come to the garden.
We have spent a couple of days clearing & cutting all the dead plants back.
The children love to be outside, it is wonderful to hear them playing in the garden.
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Little flowers tucked under all the dead leaves which we have been clearing.
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The rhubarb is really sprouting now.
The last few days sun has made so much come on in the garden.
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Flowering under the Rose of Sharon.
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Such a bright colour for this time of year & so wonderful to see it.
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Last week we had a day out at Hemswell Antique Centre, it is the largest place for antiques in Europe.
I found a few treasures.
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Cinnamon Flop.
This is an Old Amish recipe I have been making for many years since our first trip to Lancaster County.
Our children love it, it is a favourite birthday breakfast dish.
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All baked & warm ready for Sunday tea.
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My wonderful old Singer sewing machine with knee switch.
Sewing up the girls little knitting bags for Easter.
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I bought a Child's Wartime Cook Book a few weeks ago, Sidney chose to make the Bacon & Leek Macaroni from it.
This is a wonderfully easy recipe & very tasty.
We have Andy's parents coming in a couple of weeks so Sidney is going to make this for his Grandparent's.
We enjoyed it with cabbage.
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Sidney turned twelve last week, he chose a chocolate marble cake for tea.
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My first long sleeved jumper.
I have only knitted one jumper before, so every pattern is a learning curve for me.
I do love the vintage patterns, this one is a simple double rib design.
Daisy chose the deep red wool, I could not make my mind up.
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Our new house keepers cupboard.
We found this cupboard in an antique shop in our small town, we had been after a cupboard for books since moving here & this one was perfect.
The shelves are not perfect inside, they are very old which makes me love it all the more.
I have so many books, some from my child hood that have been read by our children.
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Some of my many books in there new home.
My old Famous Five books are in a back row as the girls are not old enough for them yet, the younger Enid Blyton books are near the front.
It is wonderful to have so many of my books all in one place.
We still need to make more shelves though, we do love books.
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One of my Grandma Betty's paintings.
This one is of the Norfolk Broads.
Since moving it did not have a home as we have very little wall space, this new cupboard has made that possible.
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There is even more business at our cottage as the the twins have their sixth birthday in a couple of weeks.
We like to give each of our children one large party so there is lots of  work to be done for the girls party on the 21st of March in the village hall.
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Thank you my dear readers for all your lovely comments, I love hearing from you.
Happy Spring to everyone.
Fondly Michelle
~

49 comments:

  1. Such lovely photos. I am so excited for Spring this year. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, I love Spring & all the hope for the year.
      Fondly Michelle

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  2. So many treasures, both inside and out! I have a sewing machine just like yours but haven't tried it yet. In fact I have had it for years and didn't even know it had a knee bar!
    Enjoy your lovely weather:)
    Jenn

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    1. Hello Jenn,
      When we bought the sewing machine in the antique shop we just could not work out were the knee bar went to make it go, the antique shop owner did not know either but we got there in the end. I love to use it, it is not fast which I like.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  3. I love this time of year when every time you look round the garden thing are popping up all over the place , I found a lot of vintage knitting patterns yesterday , They have so much more style than today's patterns xxx

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    1. So glad you found some knitting patterns, are you going to use them.
      I love Spring too, all that hope for the growing year ahead.
      Fondly Michelle

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  4. I did not realize the twins are only 6! Happy birthday to them and to Sidney. I love your new old cupboard. I had not heard the term "housekeeper's cupboard" before. Was it something usually found in a pantry? Grandma Betty was an excellent artist. Was she a professional painter or was it just her hobby? I enjoyed hearing of the stirrings of Spring around your cottage. I was out and about today without a coat! Spring will probably just appear once the snow melts. I wouldn't be surprised to see daffodils shoots already above ground eager to herald Spring is here!

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    1. Hello Cathy,
      A house keepers cupboard was were the house linens were kept, normally the lady of the house had a key to it or housekeeper.
      My Grandmother was self taught, she did it as a hobby from about 65 years of age & sold them at art fairs. I have a few of them which she painted for me but this one I found on Ebay.
      I hope your snow melts soon.
      Fondly Michelle

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  5. I love your garden photos, the books and esp. your cupboard. Oh, the treasures that lie within the doors! I love books!
    Happy Birthday to your children!
    Thank you for sharing!

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    1. I love books too Annie.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  6. What a lovely - and practical - cupboard, and I'm glad you had room to hang that lovely picture of the Norfolk Broads.

    I am "off" knitting at the moment but finding time to finish renewing the embroidery on an old cushion cover. Gardening today though as we have sunshine!

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    1. We have been outside gardening today in the sunshine too, it has been beautiful.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  7. Lovely post. Lovely flowers in your garden.Is there a recipe for the Cinnamon Flop? Happy Birthday to your children
    Julie xxxxxxxx

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    1. Yes I can post the cinnamon flop recipe, it is a nice easy one. It might be in a few weeks though as life is very busy at the moment.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Thank you, post the recipe when you are not so busy
      Julie xxxxxx

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  8. March is such a wonderful month as everything starts to wake up again.
    Chocolate cake is one of our favourites here too, so Sidney made a wise choice, and please wish him a Happy Birthday from me.
    Ah, Enid Blyton! I remember her well, and spent many happy hours with the Famous Five and at Mallory Towers ~ probably why I love the Harry Potter books so much! I was sort of running out of room to mention all the books I love when I journalled them, or I may still have been listing them now!
    ~~~Deb in Wales

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    1. Thank you Deb for your kind words, I have just past your wishes to Sidney, he sat there with a beaming smile.
      Books just multiply in our home, I loved seeing some of yours.
      Enjoy your evening in Wales.
      Fondly Michelle

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  9. What a lovely life you're building!

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    1. Thank you very much Laura.
      Fondly Michelle

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  10. Beautiful photo's and your tea cake looks very yummy!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  11. I felt whisked away to some place lovely for a little while as I read your article. Thank you for sharing your cottage :-)

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    1. Thank you for your sweet words.
      Enjoy your day.
      Fondly Michelle

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  12. Good Morning, Michelle.. Loved your post .. Admire your Spring from afar.. smile..We know ours is on it's way but you are ahead of us.. We are used to this, though we do have a bit more snow then we have had for several years.. Your cakes and knitting and cupboard are all wonderful.. Have a great week, my dear. xo

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    1. Hello Faye,
      I am amazed at the amount of snow that you have, we have not had a Winter in England like that in my life time. We use to get them very bad, this year has been very mild really.
      So lovely to hear from you.
      Fondly Michelle

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  13. Dearest Michelle,
    So many things to see and love here!! Your garden and outdoor pictures bring hope to my longing for spring (still knee deep in snow)!
    And we share in common a love for the antique and vintage!! I love your Singer and vintage patterns!!! (I just posted about sewing machines) !! :-D
    All the baking and goodly foods look so appetizing!!
    The cupboard is PERFECT!!! I Love your Grandma's painting!! You are so fortunate to have found (rescued) it from ebay!!! It's so lovely and has found a perfect spot!
    Another wonderful post dear one!!!
    Many blessings much warmth, and joy!!, Linnie

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    1. Yes I saw your post Linnie & loved it. I loved all your sewing pieces too & the ones from Germany are so special.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Enjoy the rest of your day, it is evening here in England.
      Fondly Michelle

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  14. Hi Michelle,
    What a lovely cupboard! We have a collection of Enid Blyton's books too. I like the pretty red yarn you are using for your jumper.
    I'm really enjoying watching the Wartime Kitchen and Garden on YouTube ~ very interesting. I think I shall order the book too. :-)
    All the photos of your springtime flowers are so nice to see. The snow has finally melted here and my crocus are up! That's a good sign spring is near.
    Blessings and enjoy your day,
    Anne ♥

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    1. Hello Anne,
      I am so glad you are enjoying Wartime Kitchen Garden, have you seen the other programmes too. Victorian Kitchen Garden is on of my favourites.
      I love crocus's, we have a few in the garden.
      Enjoy the rest of your day.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. No, I haven't, but plan to watch them when I'm finished with Wartime. :-) I just ordered the book this morning.
      Have a nice weekend. ♥

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    3. They are wonderful programmes Anne, you will enjoy them so much & the music on them is beautiful.
      Enjoy your reading, I have all the Ruth Mott books.
      Fondly Michelle

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  15. Hello Michelle~so nice to see some Spring! I am still looking at three feet of snow in the yard and gardens. However, all the songs the birds are singing are telling me Spring is not far off in New England. Your knitting is beautiful, I can't believe your a beginner! I love a good antiques center too, the biscuit tin is a sweet find. Well, enjoy your weather and all the best planning the young ladies party.
    Kindly,
    Suzanne

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    1. I hope your snow melts soon Suzanne, I bet there is all sorts under it just waiting to bloom.
      Thank you for your kind words about the knitting, this pattern is taking me a little while, I am on the last sleeve now though.
      Enjoy your weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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  16. Such a lovely post! I love seeing all the signs of spring in your garden!
    Love all the goodies you got from the antiques centre, just up my street!
    All your bakes look delicious! Happy birthday to your children :-)
    We too have a collection of Enid Blyton books, a firm childhood favourite. We're just about finished reading our way through the wonderful Beatrix Potter books, so will have to choose some other bedtime reading soon.

    Your knitting looks excellent! I am just learning to knit myself and have knitted my little one a cardigan and enjoyed every moment of it.

    I hope you have a lovely weekend x

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    1. Hello Melanie,
      Oh we love beatrix Potter & have read the books so many times, the girls choose them over other books.
      I love your knitting, this jumper is taking me a little while to do.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Enjoy your weekend.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Beatrix Potter is wonderful, I loved reading her as a child, and now I love reading her to my child.
      Thank you, I got some bamboo circular needles in the post today which I've been trying out tonight, I really like your jumper, the vintage patterns are wonderful aren't they!
      You too enjoy your weekend xx

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  17. The pictures of the flowers coming up remind me of "The Secret Garden" scene where Mary begins to cultivate the ground and she is rewarded with new life from what seems like out of nowhere... Thank you for sharing this week on the Art of Home-Making Mondays :)

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    1. I love that film too.
      Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Fondly Michelle

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  18. Hi sweet friend! First of all, I must apologize for just now getting around to visit your lovely blog. I have been dealing with computer issues for the last 4 days. Thankfully everything seems to be back to normal....whatever "normal" is with computers :)

    As alway, you created a beautiful, warm post. Your Cinnamon Flop looks delicious! My husband enjoys cinnamon so I'm sure he would love something like that :)

    Thank you so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration - it's always a joy to have you link up. Hugs!

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    1. Hello Stephanie,
      I oh know what that is like, our internet keeps coming off, it is off more than it is on.
      Thank you for your lovely comment, we all enjoy cinnamon too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  19. Oh, it always SO lovely and cozy at your home! And how beautiful all the spring flowers look! Plants are just starting to wake up here. I cant wait to see more green! Looking forward to see what you cook up for spring! Always a treat to visit you here!~

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    1. Thank you Heather,
      I hope you get some green soon, I enjoy Spring so much.
      Enjoy the rest of your day.
      Fondly Michelle

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  20. Good morning, sweet friend! Just wanted to pop in and let you know this post has been featured at Roses of Inspiration :) Thank you for linking up last week! Hugs!

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    1. Hello Stephanie,
      Thank you so much dear friend, I noticed & have added your link up button on my side bar.
      I love your link ups & seeing new blogs.
      Enjoy your day, ours is near the end.
      Fondly Michelle

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    2. Hello Stephanie,
      Thank you so much dear friend, I noticed & have added your link up button on my side bar.
      I love your link ups & seeing new blogs.
      Enjoy your day, ours is near the end.
      Fondly Michelle

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  21. i love your marble cake and cinnamon their flob !!! what beautiful pictures !!! I love the old cabinet !!! love all of angie from Germany

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  22. What peace you exude in your home. Enjoy your days with your children tending and schooling.

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