All the bearst for 2015

Wishing you all the very bearst for the New Year.
Just in case you are wondering who made the card, I did.
Have a great 2015.
Maureen

where does all the time go

It just seems a little while ago we were preparing for Xmas and the new year of 2014, I suppose getting old means the time goes quicker, LOL.
 By popular request the naughty bears have reappeared on the website, but they also have jumped onto the blog, clever things.
From myself and Keith have a great Xmas, and all the  bearst for a very Happy New Year.
 Thank you for all your support over the past year, it is really appreciated.
Naughty Bearst Wishes

Very hungry caterpillars

I guess you now that Keith and I love our garden, well over the past week, and we are in the middle of October, we were shocked to see that our stocks, and only our stocks had been decimated by caterpillars.
We just hope that the caterpillars go through their life cycle and will eventually produce some butterflies, at least that will justify the cost of the plants.

 If you know what type of caterpillar they are, we would be very grateful if you can let us know.

great time in London

What a great time we had when we took Jake for his first visit to London.
We did a lot of the tourist spots, including the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, showed him Big Ben, and saw the wonderful poppy installation , details below.

the major art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London, marking one hundred years since the first full day of Britain's involvement in the First World War. Created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, with setting by stage designer Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies will progressively fill the Tower's famous moat over the summer. Each poppy represents a British military fatality during the war.

The poppies will encircle the iconic landmark, creating not only a spectacular display visible from all around the Tower but also a location for personal reflection. The scale of the installation intends to reflect the magnitude of such an important centenary creating a powerful visual commemoration.

We are hoping to sell all of the poppies that make up the installation and, in doing so, raise millions of pounds which will be shared equally amongst six service charities.

 

There is a link to the lots of photos below.

photos of our London tourist day out.

   

our wild flower meadow

We have had great pleasure from trying to grow a wild flower meadow in our back garden.
Yes some of the lawn had to go, but the variety of insect and flowers has been wonderful.
It is amazing just how some of the flower manage to grow in such shapes.
Hopefully this will attract some butterflies soon.
Keith has put some more photos of the Adam Henson Bees and Butterflies seeds on the following link

http://slickpic.us/496231MwNM

28th wedding anniversary today.

After 28 years, my how we have all changed, LOL

BBC Gardeners World Live and food show at the NEC, with a very laid back Monty Don

What a couple of days we have had, visiting the BBC Gardeners World live and BBC food show at the NEC.
The photo above is taken at a talk by a very laid back Monty Don, shame to say Nigel did not make an appearance.
Try and work out what Carol Klein is sniffing in one of the photos in the album, link below.
Joe Swift is just the same as when you see him on the TV, top bloke.
Fantastic flower displays, especially the Birmingham Council display, very moving.
We managed to get to see lots of both gardeners and chefs, James Martin was really genuine with his thanks to the large crowd in the super theatre.
We also timed it just right to see the first cookery demonstration from Ping Coombes, the Masterchef 2014 winner, she was a breath of fresh air to cooking displays, well done to her.
Keith managed to win a £20 gift voucher, just for being the first person to stand up at another cooker demonstration.
The link below will take you to Keiths photos from both shows, yes get a cup of tea, Keith took lots of photos, LOL.


http://slickpic.us/475914g1cT

Queens birthday fly past

Just a few minutes after they flew over Buckingham Palace, London, we were lucky enough to see some of the planes that took part, and wow, this shows just how low they were over our house.
Great flying, well done to all the pilots.

new back garden look

We have gone for a change this year in our back garden.
Keith messed up part of the lawn in the winter, so we have always wanted a meadow like look and thanks to Adam Henson, ( BBC Countryfile ) new seeds we think we are on the way to having one.
The idea is to help the bees and butterflies, hope there are more butterflies than bees, LOL.
The seed on the front left have been sown for about 5 weeks now, so within the next month some flower should appear.
It is so pleasing when you sow seeds and they actually grow.

lovely holiday

We have just returned from a lovely break at our favourite seaside hotel, the view from our balcony is so relaxing. As is allowed on your holidays, we ate and drank far to much, LOL
It was great to see the staff at the Hotel Yaramar on the Costa Del Sol, Spain again, they are so friendly and even remembered us, although it is a few years since we have been there.
Ah well, is it back to work again, and also the cold wet weather we are having at the moment back home.
Can't wait until we go back there again, especially as we found a new very big shopping mall.
Thanks to everyone at the Yaramar for making the break so enjoyable.

a bubbly weekend

What a lovely bubbly weekend myself and Keith had.
I never know who gets most fun from playing with the bubbles, myself or Jake or grandson at least Jake has the energy to chase them around, LOL
Isn't it funny, you can spend a lot of money on toys, yet some washing up liquid can provide so much fun, especially when Jakes dad had so much trouble getting them to work, and then got a face full of them.
We struck lucky with the weather, and managed some walking whilst we were away.
Jakes comment of the weekend, we had promised him to go and play with the bubbles after a cup of tea, whilst I was drinking my tea, I happened to open up my ipad, Jake knew that I was going to be playing a game on it and it would delay his playing outside, he came out with,
" Nanny, don't even think about it"
My how he is growing up, LOL

Had to be done in Kensington, London

 

Whilst in Kensington, London for the Hugglets, Bearfest show, we just could not resist going for a lovely slice of cake each and a cup of tea.

It was great until the bill came, over £17 pounds.

 

Hugglets Bearfest Feb 23rd Kensington, London

Our friend Jena gave us the best laugh of the day, he said that his shoes, pictured above, also came in a camouflage version, try working that one out....

 

Myself and Keith had a walk around Harrods whilst in London, this handmade Easter Egg was just a little to much for Keith to treat me to,  £1149 .

 

Thank you to everyone who supported me at Hugglets, you are very kind, and I am so pleased some of my creations have now found new homes, both in the UK and overseas.

 

Hugglets 23rd Feb 2014, Kensington, London

I am so pleased, I have been given a table to exhibit because of a cancellation.
Hall 1 table 60.
If you are going please come and say hello.
This is a different table location to where we normally are, but really looking forward to the show.
Bearst wishes

Maureen