the new rustic arch

Today the wind is bitter and the rain icy cold.
But last Friday Alan completed the new arch and fence that separates the garden from the field.

All of the wood came from the various trees in the field. We have both always loved recycling and this is one of the nicest ways of doing it.                  

Even though it has been blowing a gale and raining hard the photos came out looking like spring! So I feel encouraged, that it will come. As the saying goes in our family " all things come to pass".

Lots of sheep!

We often have local school children come to the studios to make things and have them fired.

          Recently a group of sixteen came to make these lovely sheep.
They look complicated, but are made with some flat pieces of clay which have pattern pressed into them before they are put together with slip.

The joy of these creatures is how each of them takes on such a unique character. Curly horns and bulging eyes, yet they all look sheepish!

They sit on top of the kiln keeping warm...sorry, drying out... and when they are bone dry get their first firing.

                      Then their second firing is with a glaze. And at the end of that , off they go to school to be taken home and hopefully put in a special spot for all to see.

the Easter Box of Goodies

We took a trip south this weekend and on the way back north, stopped off with our daughter's family.

This is always a treat of hugs,laughter and baked goodies! Our daughter has a blog site, Amelie's House, and also is on the Flickr site, Neviepiecakes, so the cakes are to die for!  As soon as we got in the front door, we were presented with "The Easter Box".   Here are the photos to show what came out of it as I unpacked!

                       Natasha's older kidlet painted the scene on the lid.

Inside is a Simnel cake. Moist fruit cake with almond marzipan filling and topping. Each ball on top represents an apostle. Nestled in a corner was a bag of Blackberry with creme du mure chocolates by "Coup de Chocolat".  Both this maker and Neviepie Cakes belong to a group in Hertfordshire called "More than a Mama" ,and they regularly hold market fairs in that area. 

The green pom-poms have been turned into an Easter Garland which I shall probably hang up for ever.                                

So we are nicely set up for treats this coming weekend!