The Jolly Girls' Outing

HelenandCarolineandJaneandme
had another day out at the
Chelsea Physic Garden!
It was the most beautiful sunny day
and there were irresistible vistas at every turn.

This time our outing was strictly educational
and we were very focused on our primary objective
which was lunch in the wonderful cafe.

People, if you live in or near London
eat at the Chelsea Physic Garden. Just do it.

Think beautiful salads and eye-popping cakes
served on scrubbed pine tables
decorated with red treacle tins filled with paeonies.

We were so committed that we sat down immediately
and waited until lunchtime, filling the time
with educational commentary and analysis of
the fashion for orange nail polish and suchlike.

After lunch we wandered around
and Jane, who is a serious gardener, advised us all
and Helen listened intently because she has a new garden.

I got a bit distracted by a shameless magpie
who decided to have a bath right next to me.
and Caroline became obsessed with the huge cat
who lives on the garden compost heap.

All in all it was another fab day out
and I am so grateful to have a group of friends
who share my passions for roses, cake and nail polish.

Sarah, my friend

I started writing to Sarah on 13 May 2008, exactly three years ago,and since then several hundred messages have passed between us. Sarah wrote about her life on the farm at Spruce Hill in the lovely Maryland countryside - what she was cooking for her family, Finny the naughty puppy, Arial the horse who ate peppermints, her childhood and the countryside around her. Her blog communicated her sweet smile and her generous friendship. Although our lives were different we shared a love of flowers, blue and white china and our families. On one occasion I admired her cake plate and explained that I have an identical one and she replied "That is too funny! The same plate! Well you do have very good taste!"

We had much in common as mothers and I watched her beautiful daughters grow up over the years and understood Sarah's pride in all that they achieved. I was sharing memories of Sarah with Fifi today and we both remembered the posts showing Little E in her Scottish kilt but I also remembered Miss E cutting her hair for Locks of Love and Miss H on her 16th birthday. I think I truly believed that one day I would drive down the road to Spruce Hill and meet Sarah and her wonderful husband, Paul.

Sarah passed away on Wednesday night after a long battle against breast cancer. My thoughts are with her husband and daughters, family and friends who have lost a very special person. Her courage was extraordinary and she met each new challenge with such a positive attitude that I felt humble as I read about it. I find myself grieving for Sarah even though I never met her in real life because her friendship was an inspiration to me.

I thought very hard about which picture to use to start this post and it seemed to me that apple blossom from my parent's orchard was the most appropriate - it reminds me of the many beautiful photographs that Sarah took of Spruce Hill which will ensure memories of her life can be treasured by everyone who loved her.

I will miss her.

Policy Failure

MrM and MrsM agree...

that there has been too much gallivanting
and that they must implement
an emergency policy of 'Lockdown'
The emphasis will be on essential household chores:
laundry,
cleaning the kitchen floor,
sorting the recycling.

MrM and MrsM agree...

that a trip to Oxford falls within
the broad terms of the 'Lockdown' policy
because of the cultural benefits.

MrM and MrsM agree...

that they will visit the Ashmolean
and look at the Greek vases
and then have a bowl of organic vegetable soup.

MrM and MrsM agree...

that as they are walking past 'The Bear'
they will stop off for a quick pint.
And while they are there
they text their lovely friends,
Graham and Ursula,
and get invited to lunch.

MrM and MrsM agree...

that it would be rude to refuse
when there is a chance to admire
the Lovely Miss Maisie in her bright pink boots.

They have a wonderful afternoon
with much laughter
but on the way home

MrM and MrsM agree...

that the emergency 'Lockdown' policy
may need to be reviewed..

Recipe for home-made pizza

A wood-fired pizza oven, white hot

Balls of freshly made dough

Huge wooden board covered with flour

A selection of toppings

(if pineapple on pizza offends you, look away now)

Artichoke and Prosciutto Pizza for MrsM

An enthusiastic host and apprentice

Back off ladies, this one is for me!

what Miss Maisie saw

Miss Maisie came to supper on Saturday
in her finest stripey outfit
and chattered all evening to us,
quite delighted to be the centre of attention.

She is three months old.
and she stares intently with huge eyes
because she is seeing things for the first time.

I wonder if it was the very first time
that she ever saw strawberries.

I am glad that they were perfect;
ripe red cushions with acid green leaves,
irresistible in my blue Peacock bowl.