Sweetbriar Dreams

So where shall we go on our journey today?

Monday, 28 March 2016

Snippets of a Bank Holiday Weekend

Snippets of a Bank Holiday Weekend @ www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

It's a Bank Holiday in England and Wales and true to form the rain returns.  Bank Holiday = Rain, we should just accept it.  I sit here tapping at my keyboard just as the storm 'Katie' taps away at the window panes.  I think it's going to be a cozy day inside.

Snippets of a Bank Holiday Weekend @ www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

At the end of a very busy week at work, I needed to get my home looking more like a place to live rather than a place to collapse.   Luckily I knew Good Friday was going to be a good weather day so the housework was done, the washing had been line dried, the ironing mountain had been conquered, the surfaces were polished, Tia had been bathed and the weekend was now mine!   I had such plans for each day, but the only good weather day was Good Friday and another ridiculously 'named' storm was coming our way - those of you around the world that have real storms stop laughing now (why the met office have had to feel to name them I don't know).  Knowing that this would make the Fen a very soggy place to walk, I took full advantage and me and Tia enjoyed the firm pathways before the storm hit - nothing better!  The daffodils are about to turn, so seeing them still dancing in the fields and against the backdrop of the ever swelling ditches was satisfying to see.

Snippets of a Bank Holiday Weekend @ www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

In the distance the wind farm stood steadfast waiting for the winds to start.  It was already blowy and the sails were all turning, along with the waves of yellow rippling like the sea.


The wind was blowing Tia and her gorgeous long ears.  She loves this place so much, including the car journey to get here.  The back window of the car gets rolled down and from the wing mirror I can see that happy little face looking out with ears and jowls dancing in the air as we make our way down to the Fen.

Snippets of a Bank Holiday Weekend @ www.sweetbriardreams.blogspot.co.uk

The horses at the side of the path were far too busy enjoying their lunch to notice any changes in the weather.


Mind you, they did look cozy in their coats.



Saturday was going to be Mother/Daughter time and lunch was decided in Peterborough at the Handmade Burger Co with Miss Teen followed by some retail therapy.  We don't get enough time together lately so we thoroughly enjoyed lunch and then hurriedly searched for Easter eggs!


Being the bad mum that I am, I had sorted everyone else out with Easter eggs but Mr Teen and Miss Teen!  All the major stores were telling me that they had sold out (hmmm, I thought, let's see how many magically appear on the shelves on Tuesday!).  Luckily a smaller store had a couple of little beauties left, so panic over!  Yes, yes, I know, they are old enough to survive without this level of sugar on Easter Sunday, but traditions are hard to let go sometimes for this mum.


... along with a bit of baking!


Unfortunately this holiday means that Miss Teen will be at Easter School.  Each day she will have to go in and study with her fellow GCSE class mates.  I know it is a good thing for them to do, but she is so tired and with no break now until after her exams, it is a little unfair.  Other schools have study leave, but not her one.  So, early mornings and late nights for the homework to be completed is just too much and I feel that many will burn out before their big days.  She will eventually be an Art student, and I am going to do my very proud mum moment and show you just one piece of her art work for her GCSE project.  Every piece she does has me speechless, so talented.


And so, before another busy week, I will my third cold of the year to pack its bags, and settle down with the blanket that is driving me slowly mad, and make lists for when the weather actually cheers up a bit.


Have a great week - here comes the storm!


Sunday, 27 March 2016

A Very Happy Easter


Wishing you all a very Happy Easter! 

(A busier post next time, I'm chasing my tail a little this weekend).

Saturday, 4 April 2015

A Very Happy and Blessed Easter to you all ♥


Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter ♥


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Sunday, 20 April 2014

A Chocolate Lover's Nightmare

As the sun rises and the Easter Bunny places its shiny chocolate packages around the globe, I wish you a very Happy Easter.  These little cuties nestled in the jug of flowers will not be intact for long.  They beckon me with their chocolate aromas and entice me to have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Yes, I am a self confessed chocoholic and one that will be starting her diet... tomorrow!  I really should have stocked up in Selfridge's Chocolate Library!

Have a wonderful Easter.


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Friday, 29 March 2013

A Sunlit Walk and a Visit to the Cathedral


There it is!  After a week of extreme cold and darkness the sun gradually fought its way through the clouds.  At times the snow tried its level best to beat any warmth reaching the ground, but today, there it was!  Yes it was still bitterly cold with the wind chill factor but the sky was crystal blue and clouds icy white.
The snow had started the day, thick and fast.
And from my study window it started to settle once again.
But by lunchtime the sun was shining once more and me and Mr Teenager went for a walk to blow the cobwebs away.  My red boots surrounded my feet with their warmth and protection from the swampy, boggy ground.  Trip trap, trip trap we went over the bridge, but no trolls interrupted our journey!
There were some cuddly creatures though to welcome us.  This pony was a little beauty!
 And, could this be mum?  Showing off her baby?
And could either of these be Dad?  Now the one on the left of the photo we have called Poirot because of his mustache   However, approach with caution!  He picked up hubby last year by the shoulder, not a pleasant experience!
Our walk was bracing, icy, fresh.  The type that makes your ears burn with the cold, but the view across the fens was so beautiful in the sunlight.
The river was swollen and the sounds of the water passing by was gentle and comforting.
The sun kept going behind the clouds but soon came out in any gaps it could find.
When the sun was at its strongest, the colours brightened and we gave a satisfied sigh.  Mr Teenager was wrapped up nice and warm and trotted off amongst the mole hills.
The sun glinted on the river.
The wildlife was enjoying the little warmth that the sunshine was gifting them.



















Flying across the cold waters went the goose.
Closely followed by the ducks (I really must get a faster camera!)
And then back we went, giving the nesting swans plenty of space.
And so back home we were, hot drinks in hand, warming our frozen ears and numb fingers.  Outside the sun was still battling with the clouds.
But one of our friendly blackbirds was happy to absorb the sun's warmth and also have his photo taken!
And now to the Cathedral...

After a very busy week at work it was the time to sit back, relax...and eat chocolate enjoy four days of family time.  The Maundy Thursday service was lovely with my colleague doing the first reading, I probably felt more nervous for her than she did herself, but she read beautifully with lots of positive comments afterwards.  The lunch afterwards for over 130 clergy was testing, but we got through it with only two glasses being broken!  When we ventured back up to the office afterwards, we had a very welcome cup of coffee and then went back over the Cathedral for some 'down time', so out came the camera.  Firstly to take a photo of my colleague standing at the amber as she did for the reading and then just to walk around this majestic place and try to capture some of its beauty for you.  Now, I should explain, I have been trying out my camera, and even though some shots are exactly as I planned, some just need a bit of 'doctoring' because it just doesn't perform as well as I hoped.  So, here is a little tour of this beautiful place (if you click on my links for Cathedral you will see more of my visits over there).

Now, as you may already know, I am a sucker for architectural delights, I think this is why Peterborough Cathedral is one of my favourites.  You just look up and marvel at the ceilings and the structure itself.
I thought you would like to see where the Bishop sat for the service.  Notice his chair has a holding place at the back of the left arm for his crosier.
This view is taken looking towards the altar.  Notice the organ and the choir stalls to the left of the crucifix.





























And here we are next to the choir stalls.  So much detail.

In black and white, a little more detail.
The ceilings are all different through the ages that the Cathedral was built, and all so intricate.
And then to the high altar.  To the right you can see a flag which depicts the burial place for Catharine of Aragon, and on the left of the altar, (where you can see two chairs and the red signage) is where Mary of Queen of Scots was buried after her beheading (she was later moved to Westminster Abbey on the instruction of her son).
Here is the opposite view where Catharine is on the left, and you can see the Scottish flag on the right of the photo.
And then we head out through a side door to the Cloisters  (c1100)
Can you imagine the sights and sounds these walls have seen and heard?
The workmanship that went into this building?
It still blows me away.

And so, another visit to the Cathedral tomorrow for the Easter Vigil Service.  I love this service as at the beginning a fire is lit at the front doors and then we all hold candles that are then lit.  Such a beautiful service and even more beautiful being in this wonderful building.

But now, time to rest a bit (and stop eating the chocolate - why is it I always do that when I am writing up my posts!).  And, catch up on my blog reading.  

Have you visited Julie's Lifestyle yet?  She is a great blogger who tells her stories from New York, pay her a visit to see what she has been up to.  The link to her blog is here.

And then there is the lovely Karen at Beatrice Euphemie.  She writes such an interesting blog and beautiful photos. The link to her blog is here.

And lastly this week is another lovely blogger Lorrie at Fabric Paper Thread, such a wonderful visual blog.  The link to her blog is here.

So there we are me dears, a bit of a heavy post this week, but so much has been done and seen and I thought I would share with you.

Thanks again for all your sweet comments and welcome to new followers.  You are really truly appreciated.

Have a wonderful Easter...and don't overindulge too much (as I am sure to!).

Take care.





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