Overcast Day

It's so dull and overcast today, with threatens of heavy rain to come. And to think we were going to be having a lovely family picnic with a lot of our relations in a picturesque park. I was imagining picnic rugs and hampers, food such as salamis, olives and cheeses with crusty bread, maybe white wine spritsers, floaty dresses, children's laughter as they kicked a football around. But now, we're all home due to the threat of rain, feeling chilly and in my case surrounded by the ever present view of housework to get on with - I thought I'd got away with that one today.

Sad not to meet up with family, it's always fun to catch up and spend time together. We will be trying again and hoping for a sunny Saturday in September.

But this is August in the UK, the weather makes it's own decisions and loves trying to outwit us, having a little laugh behind it's clouds as it watches us organise barbeques, weddings, outdoor festivals and picnics. Hey, it says, enjoy your outdoor entertainment in July and August, those are my hot, sunny and dry months. Then it waits till they come along and pounce! it lets rip with miserable dark days and a bit of wind thrown in for good measure.

Grr at you weather, no matter, We're British and will have fun anyway even if our teeth are gritted and we wear coats over our T shirts and shorts! We won't let you  get the better of us!

Enjoy your Summer wherever you are.

A Level Results Out Today

                                           

Good luck to all receiving their results today and hope you all get just what you were hoping for.

There's been a slight dip in pass rates in the last couple of years, but as they had been steadily rising in the previous several years this couldn't possibly keep up, anyway. Amid suggestions that exams have been too easy or marking hasn't been as tough as some people think students were getting a lot more A* than were expected, or rather thought possible. Things seem to be levelling off now, and as there were so many competing for the same places in universities maybe this is actually a good thing. We shall see.

Clashes in Cairo

Whatever thoughts or beliefs about who should be the ruling political party of Egypt, the killing of peacefully protesting  individuals by militia is never the way to go.

Today we learn of two protest camps have had fatalities from security forces. Men, women and children have all been alleged to have been killed. Also very sadly a Sky News cameraman was caught up in it while covering the incident and died in the violence, too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-23691811

Pinterest Fail

I am one of the many lovers of Pinterest. It's not to everyone's taste but can be useful to help with projects, as in the case of  a mood board to put ideas together for a room needing decorating. I used one board for pinning ideas for the kitchen we were getting extended and re-decorated, there are still lots of great photos of things I am gradually adding to this room, often with slight variations. These are things I may never have come up with myself but see them on the Pinterest site and realise how they could be incorporated into my new kitchen.

It's not just good for mood boards, or creative ideas, you can make boards for just about anything. Loads of brides to be use it for pinning ideas for their weddings. Holidayers or those dreaming of travelling pin photos of beautiful locations. Hair style ideas, clothing styles and fantasy boards are popular.Then there are the food pins with recipes.

 Pinterest is well known for looking but not doing, that means we pin the pictures and say we will make this or do that but the pins are only as far as this goes.  One popular pin is a saying which says something like 'My house will be so beautiful and organised, my clothes so stylish, my meals so delicious and varied. Now I just need to tear myself off Pinterest, stop pinning and start actually doing all this'.

 I've put into pracice many of my kitchen design ideas as I've already said and have made another start on the recipes. Now one more thing Pinterest is well known for is that often the things we do actually get around to trying never end up looking like the pin. Above is how my Sweet Mini Monkey Rolls should have turned out and below is my pathetic attempt. They did taste nice, to be honest, but too tough to eat, sadly. Ho hum, better luck next time.

Here is the link to the site the original recipe comes from if you want to try it out:

http://www.rhodesbread.com/blog/blog/sweet-mini-monkey-rolls-x-2

Gromit Trail Again

Here's another Gromit for you to take a look at. This one in Cabot Circus, the relatively new shopping centre in Bristol, so named after the famous John Cabot who set out from Bristol in his actually quite small ship and discovered the New World of America.

This Gromit, I believe though may be wrong, was designed and painted by the designer Paul Smith no less. He is very sunny and bright, standing in the perfect backdrop of deckchairs on the very green pretend grass, a couple of people sitting there looking relaxed. Just besides is a fountain shooting water as though directly from the ground - cooling on a hot day which cannot but attract members of the public to cool themselves down and frolic in.

Green Gromit

 This is a 5 foot Gromit from the Gromit Unleashed trail raising money for Bristol Children's hospital which is Wallace and Gromit's chosen charity. Well no, actually it is from the  Aardman Animation's Grand Appeal who have been for many years raising money for this hospital. It's a very attractive hospital with colourful corridors and wards and even has Wallace telling you to watch out in one of the lifts so you don't trap your feet or fingers in the closing doors.

This year they have the Gromit Unleashed Trail for members of the public to go around Bristol and see no less than 80 Gromits painted by various businesses or celebrities. This one above has been painted by First Bus and aptly stands near a bus stop which you can see in the photograph.

Say 'Hi!' Gromit.