Thank you and a rescue.

I had a package arrive for me from dear Julie, the Celtic Lady in the U.S.

I loved the sweet roses :o)

she had emailed me out of the blue and said she had a porcelain cat for me.  (How nice was that!)  This is what was in the package:

two sweet blue and white kitties!  I love them :o)  They have found a home on my bedroom window cill, where they'll be one of the first things I see each day.  Thank you so much Julie they're gorgeous.

The Rescue (I Hope)

Yesterday afternoon I spent a few hours getting my Hedgehog page up and running, and I tried explaining about finding a hedgehog out in daylight and how to deal with it.  Then, later on I had to go out, and on my return heard something rustling about in the back garden border, when I looked it was a hog (we never get hogs in the backgarden).  It was still full daylight though about 6.30pm.  I dashed into the house grabbed my gloves and my ever ready hog carrier, then back into the garden hoping it was still there.  I managed to get it and on first inspection all seemed well as it had curled up (I knew there would be SOMETHING WRONG though).  I placed it on a wrapped hot water bottle and lightly covered it in shredded paper in the carrier along with a little food and water.  I then got in touch with Joan at my local hog rescue centre who said to bring it along to her.  The hog by this time had uncurled, but made no offer to curl again as I spoke quietly to it and stroked it's dear little face.

(Attempting a little food)

On arrival Joan immediately took it and charmed it into opening up, (believe me she really does charm them) and gave it a thorough examination.  It is a female and by the look is very probably pregnant, though she (happily) was not lactating (awful thoughts of starving babies somewhere).  She was very docile and despite having no injuries, obviously something is wrong with her.  Joan asked me to hold her while she gave hoggie a dose of anti-biotics Joan took her back, and continued to hold  her giving her needed heat, and gently stroking her.  By the time I left she had lifted her head and had a good look around.  Joan placed her on a heated mat for the night with a supply of food and water. 

When I rang this morning she said that the little one was still very subdued and hadn't eaten, but sometimes this happens as they are still a little shocked.

I had a text message later this afternoon to say that the little dear had eaten a dish of mealworm and looked a little happier.  The jury is out, and I hope that this time it will be a happy ending - fingers crossed (again). 

Best wishes

xx

Back at last.

Hello everyone, hope you are all well and happy.  Sorry that I've been missing again,  my Mom hasn't  too well and it's taken up quite a bit of time trying to get her sorted.  Happily, she's much better now and more able to cope again.

I have been trying to keep up with you all as time allowed, but I'm afraid I've been a bit light on commenting.

Anyway, a quick update on things here.  Wilfred and Winifrid Prickles have been having a great deal of late night activity in the garden - I've even managed to get a few minutes of Winifrid snuffling and scratching about on video (which took me days to upload onto the laptop!)  I'm planning on starting a new hedgehog page sometime this week (fingers crossed) so I'm keeping it to put on there.  They are eating me out of house and home getting through an inordinate amount of dried mealworms (ugh!) sunflower hearts, sultanas and crushed peanuts as well as the natural creepy crawlies from the garden.

I haven't had too many bargains as I just haven't had the time to seek them out, but here are some that I did get.

A pink single duvet cover and pillow case in new condition for £1.25.  I shall find use for the fabric :o)

A lovely old stoneware jar and cover 7.5" tall and 625" diameter.  £1.25

Which is sitting on my kitchen worktop.

Two sweet little birds standing about 2.5" high £1.75 the pair.  Now nesting on my Welsh dresser.

Nice, chunky candlesticks one 8" and one 12" tall.  £3.50 on total.

Then, a few days later I found these in the same shop.

8" tall chunky candles £1.25 each - made to measure!

Made for each other, right?  In storage until inspiration strikes :o)

Backstamp dated after 1940

Now, as you can imagine I had other things on my mind so I didn't check this properly :o(  no obvious chips or cracks so I paid £5.50 for the dish and it was well packaged in bubble wrap, but when I got home and tapped the side there was a dull 'clunk' instead of a 'ring'.  Yes, there is a crack I didn't see in the shop.  Let that be a lesson for you all.  (If I'd have checked it and found it was cracked I'd certainly have had the price reduced, but it'll do as display only.)

And lastly... two matted prints by Maud Earl 1864-1943

Taken from the book 'Memories' by the British play write John Galsworthy (of Forsyte Saga fame)

a biography about his pet black spaniel.

"Rushing piece of blackness, through the blacker night"

and

"Through the window of a four-wheeler into Kensington"

These are taken from the book published in 1912, and were packaged with the guarantee sticker that they were as described.  They were not priced, but I knew I'd heard of Maud Earl so I took them to the check-out and asked the price - 50p each :o))  Result, that more than made up for the Masons Vista dish.

I've also bought a new macro lens for my camera, here's a few flowers from the garden before I sign off.

And finally ( FINALLY!)

I visited George and Tesses Mom and Dad on Saturday and got these few shots :o)

Tess lying, George sitting.

George

Tess.

Well, I'm off to try and sort another mess out - I deleted Picasa from my laptop and discover that lots of older posts are now photo-less...AAaaaargh!

Best wishes to you all.

I've been so lucky this week :o)

Hello folks!

Hope everyone is okay and enjoying the lovely weather we have been having.

Firstly, I have to thank you on behalf of Vicky who sends hers sincere thanks for the lovely birthday wishes :o)  Then, secondly I have to welcome two new followers to the fold - thank you for joining me.

Most of you will have heard of Freecycle, but there is also another similar group in the UK known as Freegle.  Last Thursday evening I happened to log-on to my local group just after a lovely lady had posted some free fabrics, as Vicky makes such a lot of things I thought of her and applied for them.  I was lucky enough to be chosen as the recipient and collected the fabrics on Friday morning from a village about 8 miles from here. 

Here is the first one..

Such a sweet pattern with butterflies, dragonflies, birds and fans.  100% cotton about 5 yards of it.

Then there was this one which will definitely find a use here :o)

Beautiful heavy Laura Ashley linen, again about 5 yards - I LOVE it!

Then of course I have been paying visits to my local charity shops, where I have found some more bits 'n bobs.

With Easter not far away I thought these three items may come in useful....

A large, cute 'bunny' tray, with a painted wooden framework in lovely condition just sitting there waiting for me to walk in ;o) and a bit of a bargain for £1.50

This chocolate brown bunny sits about 8" high, and cost just £3, on the same shelf there was also nestled -

Two baby bunnies, such a sweet pair :o) also costing £3.

The next time I 'popped in' to see what was on offer, the manager (who by now knows my taste), called me into the back room saying she had 'something to show me'  I was knocked out to see this GORGEOUS large vegetable tureen and cover

There are no back-stamps at all, but is is very old and in superb condition.  The pattern is similar to Asiatic Pheasant.  The inside of the base is so lovely...

no chips or crazing at all.  The cost?  £6.50 :o)))

The same day I 'discovered' a lovely old pair of 4"crystal knife rests

I'm pretty sure they are Edwardian.  £3.50 the pair.

Then, on another visit I found this -

Kirstie Allsopp cake server complete with it's pretty presentation box

It's delightful china handle :o)  It's great price £3.50!  (I think they're about £12 new)

Now, back to 'old stuff' ;o)

I love this stoneware glazed preserve jar, standing about 8"and only 75p

Lastly, there were some small stoneware bottles, this one was the smallest at only 3" tall

50p.

Hope you like some of my latest hoard, please leave a comment and let me know.

Sending my very best wishes to all you lovely folk.

Welcome Home Winifred! (And a few finds)

Hello all, I hope everyone is well and the weather not too cold.

I'd like to welcome my new followers, it's lovely to see you here!

Firstly,  and update on Winifrid Prickles, Joan, the dear lady who runs the West Midland Hedgehog Rescue Centre rang me on Wednesday and told me that Winifrid was up to weight (600g) and ready to be returned to the hoggie house in the garden :o) ready to hibernate safely. 

I met up with Joan and and after passing on a HUGE thank you took Winifrid from her and bought her home.  Joan suggested it would be better to release her back into the hoggie house when it was dark. Before I placed her back in her 'house' I marked some of the spines on her back with a little white water based paint so that I could positively identify her.  This will be harmless as it was only on the tips and didn't penetrate down to the skin.  I'm sorry I didn't take any photos as I didn't want to alarm her any more than necessary.  I have kept a fresh supply of drinking water and food available in the garden as before, but haven't seen any further sign of movement so far - this could well be that in my excitement I forgot to put a couple of twigs across the entrance tunnel :o(  However, there was some food taken the first night and I suspect she has moved into the second house as it hadn't had any disturbance by me .  I'll update with any more news.

x x x

I've had some finds - this will be quite a long post from here, you have been warned!

Firstly, I apologise the photos were taken during the evening in artificial light and are not quite as I would like.

I've found three more pieces of cloisonne enamel, this black 5.5" high vase £1.50

An apple trinket box 3.5" high, also £1.50

and this dear 2.5" high owl for 50p

the back view

A carved wooden cat which stands 5" £1.50

An acorn stoneware trinket box standing 4.5"

these are the markings on the base - does anyone know anything about them please?

Old, but a bit costly I thought at £4.95

A lovely Ringtons/Sadler teapot standing 6" high for £2.25

a Burleigh blue Calico 10" dinner plate 35p (!) One of my favourite designs.

2 little blue and white birds 2.5" long,  50p each.

Two small Portmeirion parian jugs £5 each approx 4.5" high

A 'tulip' table runner, brand new in it's packaging £2.25

When I was a child my favourite game was Cluedo, so when I came across this beautifully presented in a wooden 'book' case in an unused condition I just HAD to have it!  And it was only £5.50 :o)

and the 'bound' edge (sorry, awful photo)

Then ther was a few Christmassy things :O)

six gold napkin ties £1

a 13" wooden Xmas tree £1

I think this will make a great table centre.

seven large red/gold pine cones 10p each

and finally...for this post anyway, a red metal bucket 75p.  I thought this could be filled with sweets :o)

x x x

I'll close this post here.

I have more finds and photos to show - but  I thought I'd make another post with that though - it will be self explanatory why!

Hope you stayed the course ;o) as it's been a photo heavy post this time.  Let me know what you would have grabbed.  Look forward to reading your comments.

Best wishes to all, have a great Sunday!