sarah-jane down the lane

White Rabbits

2012-02-01T16:58:00.000Z

Pinch and a punch...for the first in the month!

aaaarghhhhh I forgot to say it this morning

"WHITE RABBITS!"

I am thinking I should have a picnic as my forfeit!

image via favim.com

Perhaps not, it is tooth achingly cold outside...

Welcome February

-x-

collage created using Images via:

Rabbit print on vintage dictionary page by 1963 vintagelane

Rabbit lace from Brick House fabrics

Vintage postcard "children dressed as rabbits" Hollywood Gorilla Men flckr stream

"Sweet" memories

2012-01-29T15:22:00.001Z

I remember a time when all of life's little upsets, scrapes and bruises could be soothed by a dip in the sweetie tin. The sweetie tin lived up on a shelf, visible but just out of reach in the pantry. It was garishly bright and quite old fashioned ~ featuring a scene including goose, pig, red and black spotted dalmation, sheep, donkey, hen and duckling variously kitted out in bonnets and aprons. The sweetie tin, once the lid was off, had a curious smell, quite unique. It spoke of years of sugary confections, layer upon layer of fruit flavourings, jelly colourings, sugar frostings and dusty coatings.

Years later I saved the sweetie tin from a Magpie cull, she was moving house and we were busy newspapering all in sight. There it was, just the same as ever, I took the lid off and found myself transported back to a 1970's kitchen, chocolate brown and daisy chained.

Last week I decided to play around with bits and bobs here in my kitchen, it needed cheering up. All the Christmas finery removed it felt a little austere, I began rootling around in the bottom of the dresser and there shining from the very back corner was the sweetie tin."Yes" I thought. I took it out, popped it open and took a breath of childhood.

My Dad was a real life Willy Wonka back then, a mind full of tall tales and a garage stuffed full of Arrow Bars, boxes of Fruit Salad, Chewits and more...You may think that with such riches available we were the most popular kids in the village, but these were strictly out of bounds. And anyway, tearing into the kitchen with a freshly blooded knee, only a calm assessment of the wound by Magpie followed by her prescription from the sweetie tin would do.

When, so poorly I had to be put to bed, my Dad promised me some special pills to make me feel much better and off he went, returning some time later with a pink striped paper bag containing 3 "pills". "Not to be taken all at once S-J-B!" he said "as these are very strong medicine, I will trust you to take them only when you really need them." "OK Daddy," I said all wide eyed with wonder as he tucked the bed covers under my ears.After he had gone I carefully broke each tablet into as many tiny pieces as I could and stashed the bag in my Winnie the Poo tin ( a real treasure too!). I kept those pieces for months, only taking the smallest morsel when all else failed. I believe the Latin name for this elixir is "Jazzles," back then they were rainbow drops. Chocolate buttons with sprinkles.

At school I was a great advocate of the rainbow necklace. Bought during morning break from the Tuck shop and then quickly snaffled under my shirt collar. Sweets were not allowed in the classroom, they could only be eaten during breaks. During particularly taxing lessons I would shove my chin under my tie and collar, flick the elastic with my tongue and suck. Poor Magpie, so many soggy grey blouses.

Granny understood everything about dolls and tea-parties and regularly allowed me to rattle and shake her finest tea sets, all flowery chintz patterns with gold filigree. She also understood that scale is everything when entertaining teddies and rabbits and so she always had packets of iced mini gems on tap to be served upon piles of paper doilies. Some of which were painstakingly hand coloured in felt tip ink, most of which ended up on the finest bone china. She would smile and we would sit at the back door step with a bowl of hot fairy water and scrub them.

The sweetie tin is early sixties I think, by a company called Bluebird Confectionery ~ famous for" break your teeth on it toffee" so hard that you had to hammer it in order to break it into pieces! I must ask my Dad if he had any connection...

The sweet smell of things past - so evocative don't you think?

Oh bother, resistance is futile, been humming it quietly in my head for some time now...may as well let rip, do join me..a one two three four...

Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew

Cover it with chocolate and a miracle or two

The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can

The Candy Man can'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

Who can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh

Soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie

The Candy Man can, the Candy Man can

The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

The Candy Man makes everything he bakes satisfying and delicious

Now you talk about your childhood wishes, you can even eat the dishes

Oh, who can take tonorrow, dip it in a dream

Separate the sorrow and collect up all cream

The Candy Man, oh the Candy Man can

The Candy Man can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good...

-x-

Reasons to be cheerful

2012-01-26T18:39:00.000Z

Image 1 Pinterest, Image 2 the balcony gardener.

Image 1 Mollie Makes Issue 10, Image 2 taken from PRINT by Cath Kidston, Phototgraphy Pia Tryde

Collages all made up from my Pinterest Boards

Rainy days and grey days seem to "smuffle" me, wear me down. Seems I am not my chatty self, well, that is to say I am myself, just the quieter version.

In January I like to refresh my colour palette - you know a bit of a post Mid-Winter detox, I hope you like my current inspirations...a cleaner, prettier balance of colour and simple feminine style a la Christie and McKenna circa the '60's.

Speaking of which I am really looking forward to "We'll take Manhattan" tonight on BBC 4 at 9pm. It tells the story of the now legendary photo shoot in Manhattan 1962 and the subsequent love affair between Jean Shrimpton and David Bailey.

Picture via the Mirror

Picture via Tiskin

Image David Bailey for Vogue

Tonight's drama stars Amy Pond, whoops I mean Karen Gillan! and Aneurin Barnard. I have high hopes as BBC 4 has a very good track record...Enid Blyton starring Helena Bonham Carter, Fonteyn with Anne-Marie Duff and the excellent Nigel Slater's "Toast" were all great. Well done "Aunty", you do look after us well.

Love Sarah

-x-

Windy Day

2012-01-18T11:50:00.000Z

Still from John and Faith Hubley's "Windy Day"

The wind is howling around our timber framed house today - moaning and groaning, timbers creaking... at my painting class this week we looked at the effect of wind on different subjects. It was fun, I hadn't thought about painting a windy picture as I generally paint/draw still life but I am enthused and so I decided to look around the jolly old tinternet to research the subject. To my utter surprise and delight I stumbled across this magical animation~Windy Day.

I have always loved illustration and the drawings in this are joyful and spontaneous. The film was made in 1968 by John and Faith Hubley who taped a conversation between their daughters Georgia and Emily discussing, well, life in general as well as devising a Medieval play and ruminating on age and death as only the very young do. The animation was then built around their musings so it is wonderfully abstract and yet some of their observations are touchingly honest and poignant.

If you have time do watch the film (9 minutes long) it is a wonderful piece of work - the line drawing and backgrounds are really fresh and I love the colours too...from the first stumbling notes and the opening panning shot I was charmed...here it is

I am reminded how amazing, imaginative and perceptive children are. As cassette recorders and tapes are no longer fashionable and indeed, considered "low tech" , the fun that my brother and I had as children recording ourselves singing, performing Goon show scripts, Muppet shows and indeed playing the recorder all seems a very long time ago. But I should like nothing better than to listen to tapes of the latest generation of Littles in our family musing over whatever they choose...

-x-

Aren't these stills beautiful? If you are interested in reading more about the Hubleys and "Windy Day" then check Michael Sporn's animation blog here .

In the meantime I am off to find my recorder stash... I heard that groan Husband and Brother!

Have a great week

-x-

New

2012-01-09T16:56:00.001Z

Well ~

I have been tumbled and bundled and blown and strewn all the way back to the Lane from a New Year spent in wind whipped Cornwall. I would like to say that as a result I look fashionably tousled...unfortunately I am more inclined to admit I look rather washed and wan.

Cornwall, on the other hand, looked as ravishing as she ever does in Midwinter - all sparse and bare boned and all the more beautiful for it. I love the muted colour of a January coastal landscape, it seems to suit my mood.

I am sure it will not surprise you to hear that I have been reflecting on what has passed and ruminating on what's to come. (Obligitary, is it not during the first foray into January?) I have perused my postings and wondered if there is a single photograph to stand as an epitaph for 2012 and the truth is no there isn't.

Last year was brilliant in many ways. Starting out as it did with the bitter disappointment of losing out on THIS house, learning to bear it and then Lady luck threw us a double six, so here we are, arriving in June.The downhill part of 2012 a pleasure, discovery, delight, new friends. There I will leave it...2011 I shall ever be thankful for this new Lane.

But what of the tantalising Cornish break? I know that my Faraways will be longing for their Cornish "fix" so here she is...all pinky grey granite and glowing emerald and watery silver...

Finally some colour creeps in

The camelia confetti made me smile - so abundant and decadent, unexpected and so early?

Last night I saw a preview of David Hockney's forthcoming exhibition (Check out Countryfile on i-player). It was extraordinary, the way he sees colour reminds me of the impressionists. I was particularly struck by the ease with which he has embraced new technology - his i-pad sketches are fantastic. He has the ability to make you look again at the ordinary. Returning again and again to the same subject and seeing it differently every time - wonderful. I will definitely be heading to the RA to see "A Bigger Picture" this month.

I am not one for resolutions but I do like to refocus, I like perspective and to be open minded and to really see. I wish you all a very Happy, if belated, New year.

With love for 2012,

Sarah

-x-

Bedecked

2011-12-24T08:46:00.000Z

Gladiator ready?

Woke up early....much to do...first trot around turning on fairy lights and quietly cooing at nice things glittering

I may have given some enticing things a quick shake~squeeze as I passed...

Oh, and then there were the gifts that couldn't wait and were duly unwrapped with the beady eyes of Godchildren upon me~thank you darlings -x-

Some beautiful artworks have been created

And this amazing Christmas Tree man was made especially for Mr.Lane by his Godson~as you can see it is a triumph!

I have "J'Olivered" the "get ahead gravy", Wally Ladded the trifle and about to make a start on the bread sauce...

Thank you for visiting the Lane ~ may I wish you a very Merry Christmas and here's to a happy, healthy 2012.

With Love

Sarah-Jane Down the Lane

-x-

ps Olympic training starts in January, can't be too specific on the date yet...will keep you posted -x-

Cooking up a fairytale

2011-12-22T12:39:00.000Z

In my opinion this is by far and away the absolute standout publication this Christmas.

Not Country Living or Selvedge (Both of which I loved too!) but this...

The Telegraph Food and Drink supplement.

A sledge piled with mince pies and the outfits du jour? wellies and PJ's and rabbit ears ~ totally Down my Lane!

Congratulations to Emma Hardy the photographer and the stylists Aurelia Donaldson, Sarah Parker and Vanessa Pike. I take my Christmas hat of bunny ears off to you all!

Hmmm, I had better just check to see if the tree needs watering!

Fairytale Christmas greetings to you all.

Sarah

-x-

Oh Tannenbaum....

2011-12-21T15:24:00.001Z

The other day I took myself off to fulfill a long held ambition.

It was late afternoon when I left the Lane and it seemed to me the whole of Sussex was burnished gold - the kind of light I had hitherto thought only existed in episodes of Morse.

The ambition? Oh to see the largest Christmas tree in England!

Yes, at Wakehurst place every December the tallest Redwood in the grounds is lit with hundreds and hundreds of white bulbs. I am told that if you are flying into Gatwick after dark it is easily visible!

Doesn't look much yet, but just look at that slanting winter light...

The red red rose was blooming her way on towards Christmas...

Ironwork adorned with berries...

...and a fairytale doorway

This hushed and magical walled garden caused a stab of pain in the ribs, sheer joy I think!

I felt just as Mary did when she discovered the garden... I looked around for Ben Weatherstaff but I didn't see him.

I did fall in love with the lace in the trees though

Doesn't look much yet I know, but as the light fades away...

...and the dusky violet begins to wash the sky as the sun slides beyond the hills

The crinoline skirt of two thousand strung bulbs fizzes into life

and you hold your breath a little bit too long and smile...at last!

How lovely are your branches

Festive shoppery

2011-12-05T14:00:00.001Z

Forgive my absence this last week, totally unplanned and all due to it being peppered with unexpected and quite unrelated incidents...

...30 escaped cattle...3 electricians and no power...driving to Devon and back...to name but three!

Anyhoo, having safely arrived the other side of all of the above it was definitely time to start Christmas shopping.

When I was little we would catch the train to York and go Christmas shopping. York seemed to me the most magical place I had ever seen - cobbles and wonky buildings, the Minster illuminated, carol singers and horse chestnut braziers on every corner. No I am not that old! This was the 1980's not the1880's - although I suppose there was a distinctly Dickensian feel to this annual outing.

A few decades on I feel the same way about Tunbridge Wells - it is a very Christmassy place indeed, particularly the Pantiles area, let me show you.

My favourite festive haunt is here at le petit jardin which is, in my opinion, the jewel in the Pantiles crown chock full as it is with gorgeous wares carefully chosen by Penny the proprietor.

I adore this hazel twig wreath festooned with roses and dripping with baubles - I have my very own homage here Down the Lane.

Stepping inside there are vintage jars brimming with sparkles and bobbins and spools

Outside there are wonderful locally sourced wreaths along with baskets and sledges and gorgeous winter plants.

Phew, I escaped with a bag full of baubles and some gorgeous Christmas cards! One of these days I shall just buy the lot!

I really like this window by Farrow Ball - very simple and easily recreated at home! Finally I stop at the top of the town to buy some groceries...I think that's all I need.. or perhaps

I may just pause on my way back to the car and browse here - if I am not home by sunset you know where I'll be!

Hope you're enjoying your Christmas shopping wherever you are,

Love Sarah xXx

Midwinter Fair

2011-11-24T18:26:00.003Z

Such a lovely morning spent visiting the Wealden Times Midwinter Fair held in the walled garden at Bedgebury Pinetum.

Can you imagine my delight (knowing my Zhivago obsession) when the very first thing I laid eyes on was this wonderful green Russian Troika, a snip at 895 gorillas!

I am streaming with cold and really fancied a snuggle - luckily I managed to restrain myself.

Inside there were treasures aplenty - here are some of my favourites

I should have bought this lovely red felt bag - when I went back it was gone...

This one is for you Michele at Cowboys...

Caroline Zoob's stand was as inspirational as ever - really taken with those red and green velvet cushions...

lovely dried hydrangeas spilling out in every direction

Some stunning sparkles - vintage baubles in antique rose and silver and floating tea-lights in a galvanised basin, heavenly

Nutley antiques was was wonderful too - lots of pewter and gorgeous china pieces

Foxhole antiques is going to be having a follow up visit from me - my goodness some antique mirrored stockings and bells to hang from the tree, mantle as a present embellishment...mmm, really good.

And that was my lot as it began to fill up and I took my leave...with the pretty jug from Nutley Antiques and a gorgeous vintage fabric shade that I will show you soon! If you are in Kent or East Sussex it's well worth a visit but get their early if you can.

It's beginning to look the teensiest bit like C*******S!

Hope you enjoyed all the fun of the fair,

Love Sarah

xXx

All things bright and beautiful...

2011-11-23T07:34:00.000Z

All creatures great small...

What an ethereal selection of weather we have been experiencing here on our Lane hill-top.

We are in a becalmed lull, mornings start still and foggy. We can barely see across the Lane to Dangerfield.

Then, very slowly the sun gets up in a weekend"ish" way.(No rush.) Yawning it's way above Theo (nickname for the old oak.) The mist rises revealing a glorious big sky.

and the beasties!

I love the cows and sheep we are sharing the Lane fields with - I am learning to differentiate and notice their individual characters.

I am delivering on a promise I made to my faraway SIL to show you the gang!

Enough of the creatures - now for the brightness.

The colours are wonderful

This is my favourite tree -yes I do have favourite trees, this one is often patted and hugged.

The roses are flowering again! They are magnificent especially this glorious one.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw how many blooms were out - I had to bring some inside

Amazing how the simple things can make your heart sing x

Best before...

2011-11-18T11:15:00.003Z

I wonder who decides when something is no longer useful?

What criteria? When it is no longer fashionable perhaps, wear and tear, no longer fit for purpose, health and safety (aaarghhhhh!)
I find myself marvelling at the things people have thrown away - we live in a terrifyingly disposable age.
I know that many of you feel the way that I do - a treasure found in a junk shop or car-boot makes my heart soar, knowing that you will re-purpose it and give it another life beyond it's original.One man's junk is another man's treasure...

Yesterday Mr.Lane decided it was an "away-day". (Unexpected day out - impromptu, impulsive mission!). Our destination - Salvage Yards. Now this is all a little more ambitious than my usual charity shop rummages! But Oh! I had the best time.... I am such a romantic at heart, I found myself creating life stories for all the tired old objects, imagining grand former lives for them all...the patina and flaked paint on these Victorian columns had me twirling.

Here we are in action...

Tee hee - I am humming the theme tune as we speak!

Love Steptoe and son xXx

More "ADVENT"ures with Jessie

2011-11-13T09:41:00.001Z

Another joyous day spent with Jessie Chorley yesterday - "a handmade and hand-tied Christmas" workshop held in the fab Vintage Heaven tea-shop on Columbia Road. Luckily for you I was too "hand-tied" to photograph the A-M-A-Z-I-I-N-G cakes (home baked the night before)as you would be reaching for the self raising as we speak!

Jessie had prepared simple white twig wreaths for us along with a divine pack of goodies including stamped luggage labels, white cardboard cut birdy and horse amongst other things.As ever, her trinket treasure trove of beads, lace and ribbons was set out to be foraged through! Off we went - wrapping, embellishing, embroidering, rosette making, beading, threading, stamping.

I should say that Jessie had made a gorgeous mobile including much of the above, alas I cannot show you as my flash was being petulant and I have nothing decent to show! So go and see it in the shop if you can.

I was early enough to have a little nose around the shop and managed to snaffle these gorgeous cards, complete with lovely envelopes covered in old script.

Oh, and also these pretty hand-stamped labels

Clapping hands, so excited! Little Lane brain is whirring with excited Christmas chatterings - haven't finnished my wreath yet but I will show you as soon as I have!
In the meantime Jessie and Buddug will be unveiling their Christmas window and wares on Saturday 19th November find out more here.

I shall be unveiling my creation as soon as it's finnished!

Love Sarah xXx

PS Get well soon Lynn - I missed you x
PPS Hello Vicky - hope you got home safe and sound x

"Stag"gered

2011-11-07T12:57:00.000Z

We have grown quite accustomed ( Boodle and I ) to seeing deer on our morning walks. The slightest rustle of leaves or snapping twig is enough to startle them - and they take flight. The most we have ever seen was 11 - all streaming across the Lane in front of us. Mothers and Babies it always seems.I have found myself wondering when the Buck would show himself...well out of this morning's early morning mist he appeared. Huge and proud and strong he planted himself squarely in our path - close enough that I could clearly see the soft down growing on his large curled antlers.

I hardly dare breathe, and Buster too was entranced, he didn't bark nor hackles raise, he simply pointed. You know in the way that Labradors do - tail out horizontally and front paw raised. The stag blinked first - or rather snorted steaming air from his nostrils and stared deeper into us.

"This stag is standing his ground" I whisper.... one final look and then we quietly turned back and went through the gate into "Dangerfield" (It's a long story involving deep camouflaged holes and stock man disappearing before my very eyes into said hole!).

So here in his honour a few of my favourite stag related picks.

Once again I return to Rosemary Milner - I love this embroidery and her wallpapers below

And this lovely stag built up from woodland foliage is by Millie Marotta check out her illustration and paper cuts here.

For the sofa I'm thinking this lovely number by my perennial favourite Anthropologie

What about this patchwork trophy extravaganza for the wall! You can find it here at Rockett St.George

Lastly I shall be ordering some of this paper by Rachel Goodchild it's called Stags and Deer isn't it gorgeous? Check out her other designs if you have time here, ski school is fun too!

I think that's more than enough from me on this subject, oh except....I may just have to take a little trip to a certain shopping metropolis where they always decorate with Willow Deer strung with lights. Yep, you got me, just a little place called Bluewater!

Sarah

xXx

It will all be worth it...

2011-11-04T07:10:00.002Z

...when we wake to ribbons and swathes of cheery bright anemones sometime next Spring.

I was looking at some old pictures of the wonderful gardens at Heligan and was reminded how joyous anemones are en masse. And so we have been dodging squally rain and autumnal gusts up here on the High Weald and planting anemone bulbs.

Hoping to wake one April (OK, maybe May!) morning to a scene such as this! Memories of this creaking back and ruined nails will have long receded and I can fill the Lane with jugs of velvety bright anemones.

It seems the creative team at Sanderson were thinking the very same thing - I am really keen on the work of Henri Matisse and so are they. We share a love of flowers and textiles and this new fabric from their Bloomsbury Canvas collection is called Still Life and is clearly inspired by the great man.

A perfect excuse for me to come in from the rain and pour over my Matisse books luxuriating in all that print and all that colour, soaking it all up.

I think it has done me good - like eating visual oranges, filling me with vitamin colour!

Happy and colourful, that's a good place to start the day,

Sarah xXx

Rosy russet morn

2011-10-28T22:52:00.000+01:00

When I got up at cockcrow this morning, I stood at the top of the stairs and gazed in sleepy amazement at the rose tinted sunrise. The air was suffused with pink particles of light -

I felt as though I were wearing rose coloured spectacles.

I grabbed my camera and started shooting through the window in my desperation to capture the rosy sheen.

I jabbered all about it over breakfast while Mr. Lane tried to concentrate on the latest news about the European debt crisis.

When I got dressed I decided to camouflage myself without meaning to!

I give you proof!

Mr.Lane obliged with the following incriminating shots of me blending in with Autumns finest tawny pinks and cinnamon swirls.

Now I must confess that I am not a great dried flower exponent but nonetheless I find myself strangely drawn to their crisp tawny faded edged beauty - it's that letting go of summer moment. I love to see seed pods in the frost and snow, especially the umbellifers - cow parsley and yarrow. I am cutting hydrangeas to dry for Christmas, loving the myriad soft colours blended on their heads.

Planning wreaths and garlands, wondering about cutting up leaves from books like funky junky art

And so yes, as usual I am looking at the world through my rose colored specs and am more than happy with the view! I really must snap out of this flowery reverie and apply myself to choosing curtain fabric! I think I know what colour palette I might be in!

Still looking through these beauties I thought I would leave you with this gorgeous shot of the London Eye

My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your kind comments on the stitching, I am a little bowled over and so very grateful that you took the time to stop and tell me your thoughts, thank you x
Have a lovely weekend wont you?
Sarah xXx

Stitched up

2011-10-25T15:24:00.002+01:00

I have been bitten.

It all started when Lynn at Sea Angels posted about a wonderful day spent at Jessie Chorley's embroidered story book workshop. As you know off I went - a novice, non-sewing lamb to the seamstress.

And then it happened - the bite I mean.

Ever since I started my piece (snort! I could think of other names for my effort but as we are in polite society I shall refrain from using them!) I have been swept away with a tide of fulfilment and joy! I may not be very good but there is something marvelous about sitting down on Sunday afternoon and picking up some sewing!

By Jessie Chorley

by Caroline Zoob

I have long admired Caroline Zoob's exquisite embroidery and viewed it as so amazing I could never possibly aspire to achieve anything so gorgeous. I used to squirrel my pennies and visit Housepoints just off Northcote Road back in the London days.

by Cal Patch

Then I started to realise that I love applique! Isn't this header by wonderful?

And during my Etsy travels I discovered Funkyjunky Art.

I am a real sucker for lovewarn fabrics and old books and fabrics

Of course I know that many of you were already more than switched on to all this stitchery pokery, yes I am thinking of the lovely Viv at Hen's Teeth! But I am a very slow starter!

I have been discovering a whole new hidden world.

Wonderful Liberty fabrics displayed in embroidery hoops, genius and the wonderful work of Rosemary Milner LOVE IT!

So anyway, no more delaying tactics - I hear you

"Come on Lane girl - show us what you did!"

A few footnotes :

The background fabric is the fabric from my roman blinds in the Old Lane.

The window fabric is the satin from the bodice of my wedding dress

(off-cuts! No I didn't cut up my wedding dress!)

The chimney fabric is a scrap of daisy chain from our kitchen when I was a child

The bunting includes some remnants from Mr.Lane's old shirts

The lace belonged to Ganny (Mr.Lane's Granny.)

I wrote the words from the poem Take the Long Road, the long road home onto paper and used them as my template for the bunting. They will never be seen but I will know they are there.

You get the idea - it all means something to me. So no matter how wobbly and unsure those stitches I smile at each scrap of fabric and all that they contain.

Still got loads to do but you get the idea?

Sarah

xXx

Let me take you by the hand.....

2011-10-20T15:53:00.000+01:00

.....and lead you through the streets of London!

Yep! Yesterday I ventured up to the Smoke.

I left the train at Charing Cross and stepped out into a crisp, crystal blue morning, here's what I saw.

Only the very tip in sunlight.

Turning left I headed for Trafalgar Square and my favourite big cats.

A quick glance towards the spare plinth, the one where different artists are invited to create a temporary sculpture. (Such a brilliant idea.)

Oh that's fantastic! I step up for a closer look, "Mr.Lane will love this!" I say to myself - or maybe I said it aloud as a group of Japanese tourists glanced nervously at me?

Then I drop down onto the Mall

I marvel at the lovely ICA

And then turn right and look up at my most favourite steps in the whole of Londinium! A spot where Mr.Lane and I have strolled/raced/kissed many times over our years together.

I marvel too at Boris's bikes!

They are such a great idea - Paris did it long ago and at last we have caught up. Nice that the turquoise and navy livery matches the high blue arc of sky.

Almost upon Jermyn Street, the Red Lion scene of several incidents involving too many sherberts, but that was a long time ago.....

At last reaching Piccadily and my destination

The Royal Academy of Arts to see....

DEGAS and the ballet.

Lat night I was so excited about seeing his work in the flesh I had Christmas Eve tummy and fidgeted about so much that Mr.Lane had to tell me to calm down!

And no, it did not disappoint. I just wanted to show a soupicon.

I adore his observation of all the costume details, velvet ribbons tied into bows at the nape of the neck. Silk wraps, flowers sewn onto tulle and threaded through their hair. Oh and the way he describes tulle is amazing. His clever composition, panoramic and ground breaking. The colours in his late paintings are extraordinary.

I am no art critic I just loved it all in that way you do when you are physically thrilled by what you see.

Degas wrote a poem called The Dance Class, some of the phrases are so beautiful

" The ribbon of her steps twists and knots, Her body sinks and falls in the movement of a bird."

"And her satin feet like needles embroider patterns of pleasure. The springing girl wears out my poor eyes, straining to follow her."

And as I sat on the train winding out into ever greener landscape my mind wandered off too. I daydreamed about The Red Shoes and resolved to watch it again at the weekend. Moira Shearer plays an auburn haired prima ballerina torn between her love for a composer and her obsession with ballet.....Mr Degas would approve I think.

And now I shall exit stage left!

xXx

Change in the air

2011-10-15T08:59:00.000+01:00

image from Toast

Can you feel it too? It is distinctly chilly this morning - bright and crisp. I like it, my nose twitches like Boodle's, I slant my cheek to feel the sun's warmth through the window. This is the moment I long for that Toast dressing gown to drape around me and belt tight.

I have been pondering my composition and colour palette ( see my previous post "Good Gourd".) I remembered these fantastically composed still life images from an old Anthropologie catalogue.They are stand out! the blue velvet ribbon, the textured sack-cloth, yes! I am inspired to continue.

previous images all Anthropologie

Hmm, and so this weekend shall be a kitchen table crafts weekend - some more painting and a sewing project started at Jessie Chorley's workshop to be finnished.

I am also craving a slice of gingerbread loaf and a hot frothy, milky coffee.

Whatever you are up to have a brilliant weekend.

Sarah xXx

Good Gourd

2011-10-13T15:07:00.000+01:00

Hip Hip Hooray! On Tuesday I went to Virginia's to paint.
A lovely vignette of gourds and hawthorn and damsons and daisies.
Lunch was a fantastic risotto of spinach and pumpkin inspired by this Jamie Oliver recipe so yummy. Followed by Harrie's sweet and tasty apple struedel

Everything was warm,
the welcome, the colours, my fellow artists the weather...all happy gold and orange infused.

Here is where I am up to - you might think me terribly slow, but the finished piece is much bigger than it looks and I like to draft things very carefully - I am visualising Virginia rolling her eyes at me! Tee hee.

On another note, "bear with" ( nod to Miranda, couldn't resist!)
I have been technically challenged this week - keep losing my internet connection, aaarghhhhh - so forgive me if you were thinking I was ignoring you! Naughty computer has much to answer for!

SarahxXx

Spun Gold

2011-10-04T10:30:00.001+01:00

What a truly extra-extraordinary week we have had here in Blighty. Waking day after long day to golden syrupy amber light. first squeezing round the edges of the blinds and then pouring in, pools of honey collecting in the folds of the bed covers.

I have been stupefied by this sudden wealth. All seems heightened, as though the world is suddenly sharper, magnified and it has never looked more glorious. Time seems stretched, elongated such golden days that seem endless and frozen in time. Each morning I have had that fizzy, frilly, summer-saulty tummy that I felt as child as the summer holidays stretched before me. The feeling you have when you head out early into a day full of so much promise.

Waking early, I have been striding out with Mr.Boodle on ever longer walks, my heart soaring in the warmth bouncing from the baked soil. The fields are golden stubble now and the leaves are beginning to change into their Autumn hues.I have been very quiet, dazed I think or perhaps a little drunk on the light, but bursting with joy inside!

My thoughts have turned to Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and Vaughan-Williams and I think perhaps I have felt a little of their rapture at the English landscape.

On Sunday I heard a poem on the radio by Sylvia Townsend-Warner and it seemed to me to be the perfect epitaph for this strange glorious week. Summing up beautifully my own response, especially the transient nature of each passing second and not wanting to miss a molecule of it....

GO THE LONG WAY, THE LONG WAY HOME

SYLVIA TOWNSEND-WARNER

Go the long way, the long way home

Over this gate the leads where the three lanes meeting, delay

Look well at that field of hay

Eye closely the drilled loam

Finger the springing corn

Count every petal of the hedgerows and the guelder rose

Under the bosom of the blossomed elder

Stay, linger, browse deep on all this green and all this growing

Slant cheek to the sweet air

With deep greetings survey the full leaf boughs, like water flowing

The corn waves hurrying uphill as the wind blows

Look overhead into the blue

Look round watch this bird fly and that bird settle

with slow treading and sure greet the assuring ground

Go slowly, for slowly goes this midsummer day

And this is the last time you will come this way

Go the long way, the long way home

Aye and when you arrive and the sighing gate falls to

Go slowly, go heedfully your garden through

Breathe in the spice pinks

Turn face up to the soft ripe rose that wags aloft

Nod to the old rake, rub thumb across spades edge

Measure the potato hills and the tall bean rows

Pledge cherry and currant bush

Pledge lily and lily leaf spear

And rebel the nettles waving along the hedge

Look closely, look well, see how your garden grows

Ponder yourself, even enter the secret cell of this years honeycomb

Look long, for long has this been yours, long been dear

This is the last time you will stand here

Go the long way, the long way home

Though you are weary hasten not ghost to ground

Tarry this last hour out

Take your last look around

Greet finally the earth, greet leaf and root and stock

Stand in your last hour, poised like the dandelion clock

Frail ghost of the gaudy raggle-taggle that you were

Stand up oh homing phantom

Stand up intact and declare the goodness of earth

The greatest good you have found

Er the wind jolts you and you vanish like the foam.

And now? The spell has broken, I think this last week I may have been visited by Rumplestiltskin! He has had me spinning golden thread........

I too have been taking the long way.........

.....home xXx

Bloom

2011-09-19T10:25:00.001+01:00

In the October edition of The English Home I was delighted to see an article featuring the work of Vic Brotherson - I have long been an admirer of her work. I remember I squirreled away an article about her in Elle Decoration back in December 2009.(Loved her style and home too!)

What really appeals to me is her combination of vintage containers and objects, seemingly jumbled and eclectic, yet so perfect with her flower choices. Happily for me the article is taken from her new book Vintage Flowers.In it she talks about "painting with flowers"....."allowing the flowers to do the work using the colour, shape, texture to create still lives.. Even if your budget is limited, it is always possible to create something beautiful - especially if you have the right container." Thank you Vic, that is all the justification I need for all my endless rumaging in charity shops, jumble sales et al, looking for that elusive vase/bowl/jug.......

Vic's shop is called Scarlet and Violet and can be found on Chamberlayne Road, NW6.

So, feeling inspired by Vic I went out in the garden and snipped away..... here is my creation! I had no idea how much fun it is playing with foliage and flowers and a large lump of oasis. Oh, and for those of you who are worried about my rapid descent into Audrey Forbes Hamilton territory and the world of country wife - yes I was humming Jerusalem and thinking of straining my next batch of blackberry jelly.

Have a fantastic week everyone,

Sarah xXx

Tee hee x

Cornish posy

2011-09-13T09:53:00.000+01:00

or a Cornishcopia! Yes, Cornwall is lush and green, the late summer flowers are in abundance. Here are some of our favourite spots to while away a moment or two.....

Thank you so much to all my wonderful followers old and new, this one's for you, it so amazing that you call in here from time to time,

Love Sarah xXx

Sea Shanty

2011-09-09T11:52:00.001+01:00

On Monday we went to Penlee House Museum and gallery in Penzance to see the Walter Langley exhibition.Hurry along, it finishes this weekend! Afterwards we went over to Newlyn Harbour and I was totally blown away by the place, the fishing industry is seriously up against it and I found myself in awe of the fishermen and their gritty determination.

As you can see I was also not a little fascinated by all the tools of the trade, and yes, the lighthouse is the same one that features in the distance of this Walter Langley painting.

Between the tides, Walter Langley

What a day!

I'll be back with more tales from the West soon!

Sarah
xXx

By the way, my favourite exhibit at Penlee was "Rosebud"

Toy black cat with spiky fur, over a wire body. Has a leather and hair tail with a ribbon tied around it. Was used as the mascot on board the 'Rosebud' and was tied to the mast for the entire voyage. The Rosebud was a Newlyn fishing boat (PZ 87) that was sailed up to London on October 19th - 21st 1937 to deliver a petition to Parliament to stop the slum clearances.

Back soonish

2011-09-01T10:38:00.000+01:00

Hello it's me! Buster

Just to let you know I am off to Cornwall and have prevailed upon Sarah-Jane and Mr.Lane to drive me there, they are very obliging. I shall be partaking in long late summer walks, lots of swimming and general larks.....I will let them know when I want to come home, maybe in a week or so!

Shh, don't tell Buster-Boodle, it's me Sarah! I just wanted to tell you that this beautiful painting is by Joanne Short, one of my very favourite artists, it's called" Helford Flags and Flowers". The house is on the Helford so I particularly like this one. I love her strong use of colour and the patterns she creates.All that red against a cerulean sea and a lemon sky! You can see more of her work here .

See you soon when the Boodle is all sea-salty and tired out!

xXx

PS . Next time you want to do some typing Buster, perhaps you could dictate and I will do the honours!

Time to unFirle

2011-08-28T12:43:00.000+01:00

What could be better on a blustery August Bank Holiday than a good old blow as Granny would say, " Do you know Sarah, it was so windy up there it nearly blew me eyebrows off!" ( Said in a buttery west country burr.)

Firle beacon - sea on one side, South Downs on the other. A high swirling ridge where an English carpet rolls out below us. A glorious carpet, all green and golden and studded with yellow and purple. Fields demarked by their hedges embroidered with late summer flowers.... and at the bottom?

The prettiest little village resplendent with pub, post office, buckets of flowers and home grown produce.

Happy Bank Holiday weekend

xXx

Come and have a gander at a treasure filled day.....

2011-08-22T16:24:00.003+01:00

A fairy-tale circus type of day.

On Saturday I went to the Big Smoke, to the East End no less and had a jolly good day sewing and learning and embroidering and making with Jessie Chorley.

Before I go on I should add my thanks to Lynn at Sea Angels who wrote a wonderful piece about one of Jessie's Workshops here. It was reading this lovely post that spurred me on to contact Jessie, so my thanks to Lynn and the amazing serendipity of the blogosphere.

So I set off early doors from the warm summer, glowing Sussex countryside and made my way to London by train. The first glimpse of the London Eye or the Gherkin never fails to send a shiver of excitement.I love to crane my neck to glimpse Tower Bridge and the Tower of London through the snicket in the foreground as you approach London Bridge. I love London, and only now that I no longer work, live here, am I able to see it in all it's majesty again.

Stepping out on to the street at Shoreditch, Redchurch Street to be precise, the first thing I saw was Les Trois Garcons. A sudden rush of memory, this is the most weird and wonderful restaurant. I haven't been here for years and I had quite forgotten all about it! How did that happen? It is extraordinary inside, theatrical and magical and decadent all at once, I was so bowled over the first time I ate here. The food was by no means an after thought either. But still my overwhelming memory is of towers of exotic fruits, crystal chandeliers and stuffed leopards! I urge you to try it!

Still reminiscing about a past life I pass this extraordinary window display of circus curios and toys. I love the grime on the windows it lends an eerie quality. I stupidly didn't look to see what it was!

And on I go to Columbia Road, home of the famous flower market and a lovely enclave of independent makers and dealers.

Love the architecture in this part of London, this is a detail from a wonderful limited edition print by Vic Lee, I have ordered the Columbia Road print, have a look at his work here.

I have been meaning to check this gorgeous emporium out since forever .....love the lettering. But no time to dally I have an appointment here

Jessie and Buddup's Shop.

Any shop with knitted bunting and a bespoke dolls house in the window is absolutely top of my list.

(I adore the way the houses opposite are reflected in the window.)

Inside is staggeringly lovely.....

everywhere you turn is another vignette, we sat at this table whilst Jessie showed us her work, WOW! So inspirational, cut story books, journals and fabric story books. Unsurprisingly Jessie has just finished making a batch of her journals for Anthroplologie stores in the US.

The good news is that Jessie is running some workshops for Christmas! Spaces are limited so don't delay, find out more here. You never know who you might bump into!

Note to self for next time:

Take my "Auntie Ella"

Write down the names of the creators of lovely Tommy Trinders

Remember to bring a weasel and stoat

Look both ways when crossing the frog and toad

Hello to my fellow work~shoppers and most importantly of all
THANKYOU JESSIE
xXx

Through the window and in the hall

2011-08-16T17:08:00.000+01:00

Soft, rich tones of colour and light seen from through the window at 6.30am. A kind hearted morning, sweet and ripe like the hedgerows. I felt an impulse to harvest and bring some mellowness indoors.

I am by no means a florist but I just loved snipping and seeking the red hawthorn berries and the crab apples and the slowly antiquing hydrangea heads. Of course mellow can also mean slightly tipsy, and that is perhaps the title of my arrangement!

The hall table is now bedecked in something that recalls my early morning glimpse through the window.

xXx

Foraging

2011-08-11T09:37:00.000+01:00

I love that late summer fade as blooms become tired and give way to fruit. Yesterday I walked all the field margins looking for blackberries - they are barely ripe up here in the wind. Disappointed I head back to the garden where I remember the cobnuts apples and plums. Mr.Lane loves cobnuts and I?

.....love crumble. This one is Apple and plum with a dash of blackberry!

Jammy and crunchy!

Sarah xXx

PS Hello Jody and welcome to East Sussex! Hope you are settling in OK?

PPS Cassie - I have saved you a bowl of crumble!

Clear as crystal

2011-08-07T14:30:00.002+01:00

Early, early morning, bright and clear and pure as cut glass.

As I heave open the old oak door I was rushed by a swirl of cool, cool fresh air - the wind is coming from the north today. I glance at the Boodle who sniffs his agreement.

The wind grew impatient and flipped up my hair "OK!" I reach for my wellies and step out into the early morning clean chill. Exhilaration - a great surge of joy. Go back and grab the camera, ready to take a wander.Such a playful wind, all calm and still and then, in a moment, a thrill in my throat as an unexpected gust whips through me. I smile at my childish delight.

Conscious of being observed I remember my attire (wellies and P-Js!). I look over the barn, into the Gods and there the swallows line up along the telegraph wire that stretches from behind the barn across the top field and away. They too are sensing this new freshness on the breeze and I fancy mentally mapping long haul flights to come.

The remaining audience are in the stalls, quietly munching the sweet green shoots beneath our feet. The garden is large enough that they have become brazen enough to continue to graze even in sight of Mr.Boodle, cleverly judging the exact distance required to safely out run him. Not that he has the slightest inclination to chase them.

I confess that I linger for quite some time by the brick farm building. Pipe dreaming and planning all the creative activities it will house.....just think, all the things I will paint/make/do inside those lovely brick walls.

Round the corner and into the orchard, so much windfall already, I must bag them up for friends pigs and horses!

Back at the house I must show you this lovely coral red rose against the weatherboarding.

Oh and yes, you must just take a peep inside.....

Whilst I hang out the washing!

So lovely to feel the delicious thrill of a cold wind - but now I am off to find a jumper!

xXx

Cornish eye candy

2011-08-05T11:28:00.000+01:00

Ah hello!

Home from the land of pasties, beach barbecues, boating, hydrangeas and agapanthus growing like weeds, fishing villages, birthday bashes, regattas, Boodle walks, swimming and "Rattler".....all this has conspired to make me feel rather crook! I am feeling very sorry for myself today but suspect the bushy tail will be back imminently.

Hope you are all squeezing every ounce of High Summer too wherever you are?

Love Sarah xXx

PS It is so lovely to come home x

Due West

2011-07-27T06:00:00.007+01:00

Off to our beloved Cornwall for a summer sojourn, stopping off in Devon to see Magpie on the way. Back when the weather has defeated us! How long is a piece of string!

Pip-Pip

xXx

July mood board

2011-07-24T10:20:00.013+01:00

I have come over all "painterly" lots of things are inspiring me, especially the late flowering hybrid teas, so heavily scented.....and the washing line.....vintage Hermes scarves.....anthropologie......and a 1925 print called butterflies and blossoms.....

.....it's just the way I'm feeling....

Craft warming

2011-07-21T09:57:00.004+01:00

Imagine my delight when presented with this very special box by my beautiful God~daughter "Katkin"

(I love the colour ORANGE, we must discuss this more another time. Orange when paired with pink or teal or purple is divine, it is a happy, happy hue! Sorry, yes.....another time.)

Such a brilliant thing to open up a box.....

What or who is inside?

Meet Mr and Mrs Bunnington-Lane

Aren't they gorgeous? Crocheted (is that a verb?) by Rabbit, Katkin's Mummy - I LOVE THEM!

Seriously lovely heart warming house warming craft with heart x

Oh and courtesy of Del some rather better shots of the barn all decked out for the barbecue!

Hope you are having a lovely week? Off to check in on what's going on out there in Blogland,

Love Sarah xXx

PS Did you notice the cool crochet dishcloths used as bedding? So brilliant!

Shindig

2011-07-18T13:00:00.007+01:00

SHINDIG ( shindigs plural ) A shindig is a large noisy, enjoyable party

Yes indeedy, we certainly had one of those this weekend!

(As evidenced by my uncharacteristically erratic wobbly/fuzzy camera work)

And all of this in spite of the worst weather July in England could throw at us~

A lovely time was had courtesy of

Lamb by Jamie Oliver,

Bar and Barbecue cooking by Mr.Lane

Pudding Mrs.Long

Cheeseboard Madame Cholet

Hydrangea wreath by Rabbit inspired by Penny at le petit jardin,

Drinks for monkeys by LUDO

Artistic direction (bunting) by Del

Olympic rounders tournament THE CHILDREN

Well done team x

Off to take a couple more paracetamol, shhhhhhh.......

SHINDIG ( shindigs plural ) A shindig is a large noisy, enjoyable party

As promised......

2011-07-12T13:13:00.013+01:00

.....I saw a ripe blackberry today.....I must write that down somewhere......sorry, mind wandering!

Here, as promised is my RHS Flower Show at Hampton Court debrief.

This year the theme was Alice in Wonderland, loved it - especially in the rose marquee. Anyway if you have a moment why not join me in a wander around.....

This hut is by Court and Hunt in Sandwich, Kent. It is definitely at the top of my "Most Wanted"!

Now to the Country Living Marquee ~ Always a highlight! This year proved to be no exception.

This year my absolute favourite find was Butterfly Blue . Purveyor of brilliant belts, buckles, Liberty print scarves/belts/sashes.

I fell in love with their Ribbon belts, check them out here alternatively you can see me modelling one badly below (sorry Justine!)

So fantastic, the prints are all really amazing Tana Lawn, as you can imagine I was a bit dumbstruck and dithered quite a lot! Now I am lusting after a Liberty belt buckle as well as a scarf belt .

Next, such a moment of serendipity! As I was walking through the centre of the marquee I spied the main Country Living area and displayed on the desk were some lovely fabric covered notebooks by Sophie Azimont. ( You will find her notebooks at Made in Hastings.). I let out a tiny gasp - and squinted my way towards said notebooks. The girls on the desk must have thought me quite odd. I reached out my hand and picked up one of the books, and yes it was......covered in fabric from Jonelle, circa 1970. You may remember my sepia seventies post and recall my penchant for the fabrics from my childhood. Here in my hand, a notebook covered in the fabric that adorned my parents bedroom back then, the fabric I saved from the charity shop, the curtains I recently nostalgically hung at the window of one of the bedrooms here Down the Lane!

My final treasure is a lovely tunic by Gabriella Knight , once again in Tana Lawn. Imagine my smile, when flicking through, YES Country Living on Saturday in their lovely fashion shoot the very same tunic in a different fabric!

Here you can see "notebook "and original Lane Furnishings reunited!

Such a lovely day, thanks for joining me x

Welcome, come on in, the kettle is on.........

2011-07-01T18:36:00.019+01:00

Seems a lifetime since we left Kent and arrived here in our new East Sussex nest.

Seems an age since I last posted, and I suppose it is!

I have been floating along since the last removal lorry shuddered out of sight Down the Lane.

I must thank you if you have been wondering where I had got to and have checked in on me only to see I was still absent. Here I am! All bright~ eyed and bushy haired ( It's rained a lot!)

I owe you a lovely long, beautifully scripted post and instead I find I am a little shy and stunted as I feel uncomfortable blabbering on about how wonderful things are ~ seems a bit self congratulatory and being British that isn't something that comes naturally!

Instead I am offering snapshots of the first things that have captured my imagination here at the New Lane, and as always probably too many.

I will say that I can feel reams of words on imaginary tape tumbling from the very top of my head, out they spill, words of wonder and joy at being here, out and out they flow ~ concentric circles that express happiness, peace and gratitude.

I still think Alexander Pope had it when he said

"Happy the man whose wish and care a few paternal acres bound, content to breathe his native air in his own ground. "

Come back soon, I have much to tell, went to Hampton Court this week and I simply must tell you about the Country Living Marquee....squeak......so good!

Have a brilliant weekend,

Sarah

xXx

TTFN

2011-06-06T17:19:00.004+01:00

Ta Ta For Now!

Farewell my lovely Lane x

Thank you for looking after us so well.......

I am about to lose my internet connection so until the New Lane is connected I will bid you adieu but I shall be back in a couple of weeks all being well! Look out for us then,

Love Sarah, Mr.Lane and the Boodle xXx

ps. Are you reading this Jody? I hope so ~ good luck with the "Forest" I hope it's the one I'm thinking of? I am so, so thrilled the Lane has been a helpful spot to travel to, thank you x

Boxing Day

2011-06-03T06:44:00.003+01:00

No not that one!

Yep - the chaos that was once a lovely sitting room!

If you are wondering what on earth is going on see my previous post!

Sarah

xXx

Why is brown parcel tape so contrary?

Fortune Cookie

2011-06-01T06:58:00.009+01:00

I am of the school that thinks fortune telling, horoscopes, palm reading, handwriting analysis, tarots etc.etc. are only for the gullible. I consider myself to be healthily sceptical unlike the Magpie who is a fervent life long believer. If you should find yourself at a party with her and inadvertently stray onto the subject you will find she is a veritable mine of brilliant and totally irrevocable examples of amazing feats of prescience. All anecdotal of course and mostly involving her.

I approach horoscopes with the same kind of trepidation shown by Tom Hanks as a child in BIG,he approaches "ZOLTAR" the fortune teller with great caution and then look what happens!

Except of course when it suits me to consult them. I think this is known as human frailty? Or perhaps simply double standards? It is like a terrible magnetic force, whenever there is something major happening in my life I reach for Shelley Von Strunckel. I know!

In an effort to "out" my shameful lack of spine in this regard I hearby publish the transcript of the internal dialogue that took place this very Sunday

S-J DTL Whilst flicking through Sunday Times Style Magazine "Ooh, Shelley Von Strunckel.....I wonder if I should just have a little peep? No don't be silly you don't read horoscopes."

Flicks pages backwards and then hovers undecided "well maybe just a quick glance, as such momentous change is afoot."

Flicks back to horoscope section

SVS "If you're heeding your instincts, you'll already be aware of powerful changes"

S-J DTL "I know Shelley, you're so right!"

SVS "This begins in earnest with Wednesday's eclipse and continues to early July"

S-J DTL "Right again, it's going to take me at least until mid July to get things straight"

SVS "Some developments are no surprise, but rather come as a relief"

S-J DTL "A relief? No s**t Sherlock! it's been almost a year since we started this process"

SVS "Your only real problem is those who don't recognise change as progress, especially if you must work or live with them."

S-J DTL "Wow, how did she know about Mr.Lane's trepidation in crossing over the border?"

SVS "Be patient. Gradually they too will realise in letting go of the present, they're embracing the future."

(I should also admit that I then immediately searched for Mr.Lane's future and found it just as apt!)

So the truth is out, we are iminenetly off to pastures new!

So excited, so nervous, so much to do, so soon now!

Robert Tavener "East Sussex High Weald"

For a long time whilst we were searching for the "New Lane" it felt that the luck was against us, we missed out on a farmhouse we were both besotted with and boy did it hurt. Tears and anger flowed and then apathy followed, after a brief period of licking our wounds we were seized by renewed vigour and determination.

And the rest as they say is history ~ the Lane is relocating to a new Lane!

(Yes still down a Lane, phew!)

We are moving from Kent, the garden of England over the border into East Sussex and onto the High Weald, AONB. We have bought a farmhouse with 30acres and several out-buildings, gasp,I can't believe I just said that out loud! We hardly dared to dream it possible and have had so many disappointments along the way I couldn't jinx things by telling you until they felt solid and certain, (So much for my non-superstitious self!)

Can't wait to share the tales from the High Weald with you all, I hope you will join me on this new adventure.

In the meantime much packing is required and less cooing and aahing at the discovery of long lost/discarded objects down the back of chairs and cupboard corners!

I think I can finally report our luck has changed

xXx

2011-05-31T11:43:00.000+01:00

Stills from the film "Third Star" by Western Edge Pictures

I am loving the production values on this little movie, the styling looks fantastic don't you think? Plus Benedict can do no wrong in my eyes!

James (Benedict Cumberbatch) wants to make the most of his life~what's left of it. He invites his three closest friends to join him on a camping trip to his most favourite place in the world.....

See the trailer here it's well worth a butchers.

Funny how life throws you little anomalies, little coincidences or do we perhaps look for links? I am always open to serendipitous encounters as you know. The reason I say that is that I was listening to Fleet Foxes "Blue Spotted Tail" and I couldn't get the lyrics out of my mind

Why in the night sky are the lights on?
Why is the earth moving round the sun?
Floating in the vacuum with no purpose, not a one
Why in the night sky are the lights on?

Seems to me that this is just the sort of question "James" would be asking.....

I shall be looking very closely at the stars tonight,

Sarah

xXx

Postcard from Portugal

2011-05-26T18:07:00.006+01:00

Ola! Bom Dia!

Here I am, fresh from the Algarve.

Fresh from the orange groves, the fisherman's huts, the Timoleon Vietas*, the sardines, the tiles, the colours, the mosquitoes, the Jacarandas, the laranja and almond cakes.....

Isn't it marvelous that after 12 years of marriage Signor Lane is still capable of "Sweeping me off my feet!"

Actually, in the interest of factual journalism I ought to correct that, isn't it marvelous that after 12 years of marriage Signor Lane stops me at the front door of the villa, takes his "besom" and literally sweeps my feet! Yes, sweeps all remnants of sand and beach from my toes!

And I think I shall never be able to leave England again when I return to its familiar terrain.

I am always desperate to be reacquainted with our national beverage, a nice cup of Cha! I like it "Builders". I would take it intravenously if I could!

Whilst having a splendid coffee and catch up with some gorgeous friends near Tavira I am reminded what an extraordinarily small bloggy world this is as my lovely Rabbit told me that one of the girls in her knitting club reads my blog!

Just imagine how wonderful and amazing that felt! (Hello Sarah!)

So to all of you that check in and comment or follow or lurk I say a hearty "Ola" and "Obrigada". I am so lucky to have found this space to write and think and share. I do appreciate you all taking the time to visit the Lane.

And all the while I bustle around in the kitchen humming, sorting out laundry and dishes and shopping, the veilchenblau rose, that adorns the kitchen window, has kindly burst into a profusion of purple flower as if to simultaneously welcome us home and transport me back to balcony smothered in bougainvillea.

Lovely to be back

xXx

*Come Home Timoleon Vieta

Meet the mongrel. Timoleon Vieta. A deeply loyal, undemanding and loving companion ...with the most beautiful eyes. He's living an idyllic existence in the Italian countryside with Cockroft, a composer in exile. Until, that is, the mysterious and malevolent 'Bosnian' comes to stay. How will the stranger affect the bond between dog and master? Timoloen Vieta Come Home is a deeply moving and strange take on the Lassie legend.

32 mosie bites and counting, any bright ideas about how to stop the scratching?

Flying away

2011-05-18T00:01:00.000+01:00

Off to Portugal for week or so

See you when we get back, hoping to nurse my hips back from the brink of no return!

TTFN

xXx

Happy Birthday Magpie

2011-05-16T22:00:00.007+01:00

Happy Birthday

to the loveliest, shiniest Magpie in the whole wide world

I would fill the whole of your nest with flowers of every type, great bowls brimming with fragrance and colour, just imagine that Magpie!

Have a gorgeous day ~ I love you Mum

xXx

By the light of the silvery moon

2011-05-14T08:15:00.006+01:00

I must confess I am feeling a little daunted at this moment

Tonight I will be walking 26.2 miles around London

(with 15,000 other participants I should add!)

Yes, the MOONWALK!

We start here and slowly wend our way around London and all in a decorated bra!

This idea struck horror in me initially but now that I have feathered "it" within an inch of "it's" life I have grown quite fond of it, it has taken on a personality of it's own and now I look at "Tweet" as though she were another member of the Lane menagerie.

Look out for "Tweet" and I as we stride along Embankment!

A great motivation for me is to see London at night.

Cities have wonderful personalities and it is amazing to see them in the relative calm of the early morning hours.

I know that this will be a very welcome sight at the end of what I hope will be a 6 hour walk!

And the promise of a hug and a proud glint in the eye from Mr.Lane will spur me on!

Good luck to everyone taking part

See you tonight

xXx

POST SCRIPT

(After the event)

YES! I DID IT!

I actually stayed awake all night....oh and walked 26.2 hours in 6.15 hrs!

Thank you so very much for all your good wishes, they helped me plough on through the wee small hours ~ freezing cold in my feather clad bra!

Here I am at the Moonwalk Village before we set off, you can tell by the tip of my nose I was already nithered at this point!

Against all my principles of good taste, here I am sporting "Tweet"

You can tell I really wish I wasn't in this picture by my fixed smile and psychotic stare!!!

I am still a little shell-shocked from the effort I think!

xXx

Breakfast

2011-05-10T06:48:00.005+01:00

This week I have a free, access all areas pass to Carbville!

My training pack for the Moonwalk definately says that I should be loading up on carbs this week......pas de problem!

I am such a jam junkie and this is my favourite

Bread for breakfast every day, woohoo ( bread is usually only on the menu at the weekend!)

Go on, join me

A slice or should I say a slab of an artisanal loaf, a luxurious silken coat of butter ( I know! but when in Rome.)

topped with a tumble of favourite berry preserve.....

YUM!

xXx

Another great.....

2011-05-07T07:20:00.016+01:00

.....English garden!

I know I am on a bit of a roll~

this is Great Dixter also in East Sussex.

Home of the late and very great Christopher Lloyd

"Christopher Lloyd was one of the most inspired plantsmen and garden writers of the past century. He spent his lifetime practicing and refining his art at Great Dixter, his family’s rambling Sussex Manor House in Southeast England. "

This is a place I have been longing to visit, why has it taken me so long? My mind was made up once I read the article in the March issue of World of Interiors

What a delicious place this is if, like me you love shaggy colourful gardens that look effortless not spotless and borders that evolve through the seasons with brilliant planting schemes. Much credit to Fergus Garrett and his team.

(Brilliant article by Fergus here I love the description of his relationship with Christopher, wonderful honest writing.)

This garden provoked such a strong joyous reaction in me that a lot of "twirling" took place.

My family will be smiling at this admission!

TWIRLING ~ distinctive behaviour of S-J DTL when overcome with a sudden rush of happiness and joy. A spontaneous on the spot spin followed by a series of small hops/skips and jumps.

Have a brilliant weekend wherever you are,

Sarah xXx

ps. Good news, It's raining at last!

Raven's Perch

2011-05-02T17:56:00.018+01:00

Still hung over from the headiness of the most ravishing royal wedding I could not bear to miss a favourite annual event. At the end of April Sarah Raven opens her magical garden at Perch Hill East Sussex. I have been visiting, dare I say religiously! every year since 2006 and love to chart the changes driven both by Sarah and climate.

Some years the tulips have been silky and open and perfect, others they have been tightly closed, too cold to shine. This year they were open to bursting point, bathed in this extraordinarily summery spring.

Never before have I seen such a profusion of blossom, chiming perfectly with Kate's shaggy wild choices in Westminster Abbey.

I will cut my narrative now as I am well aware that I babble on far too long and my picture editing is woeful apologies, I didn't want you to miss a thing!

If you are interested in seeing the garden in previous incarnations click here......and Sarah, if you should ever stumble across my ramblings my highlight is always what treasure awaits in the lovely barn containing your pizza oven! This year the scent was King!

Oh did I mention it was my wedding anniversary this weekend?

And so a little homage to the lovely display in the shop at Perch Hill.....

Sarah xXx

Huzzagh!

2011-04-29T06:53:00.004+01:00

Crack out the bunting~ cool the fizz and dig out the vintage royal china.

It's here at last, the wedding of the year!

We shall be starting out with a wedding breakfast and limbering up our Jack waving forearms.

Three cheers for Kate and William

Hip hip......

Hip hip.....

Hip hip......

Hope your day goes with a right royal swing too!

Love Sarah

xXx

POST SCRIPT

To coin Kate's phrase "wow!"

It was all so breathtaking and simple and yet exquisite too. The dress was so beautiful as was she. I hate that "the bride was radiant...." cliche but on this occaision...

The trees in the Abbey, the wonderful shaggy English Spring Blossom spilling and frothing out of urns and tumbling over the altar, wonderful!

The Getaway in Charles' Aston Martin was gorgeous too, my favourite surprise I think.

And that glorious moment as they stepped onto the balcony and Kate gasped "Wow" even the most hardened heart could not help but melt at the honesty in the emotion she so spontaneously conveyed.

Huzzagh for William and Catherine!

It's Good.....

2011-04-22T08:04:00.004+01:00

Friday!

Happy Easter to you!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend whatever you are doing, we are enjoying time with lovely family and friends and marvelling at this extraordinary weather!

images from Country Living Magazine

This is my favourite Spring Green image!

Congratulations to Mary Norden and her team at RED magazine this looks amazing!

I would love a kitchen with a tiled panel, aahhhh dreams.....

Black and quiet

2011-04-20T19:05:00.003+01:00

Some days I find that I have nothing to say...... I am frozen, stupefied if you like. Other days I babble incessantly like a brook! There is no rhyme or reason to these shifts in loquacity they are just part and parcel of who I am.

Today is a quiet day~ it's not sad or good or bad it just is the status quo.

BUT I must break out of this reverie, I just have to tell you two magical facts.

Today I saw a black....yes, a huge velvety, wild black rabbit!

I have always been charmed by wild rabbits in the spring, their white cotton tails bobbing out of sight when they are startled by the slightest sound. But never before have I seen a pure black rabbit grazing on the newly grown grass tips. What a thrill it was.

Black rabbits are steeped in folk lore and mystique.

I must confess when I caught sight of him at the bottom of 40 acre field we shared a nano second of mutual appraisal before he arced and leapt in three perfect half moon leaps into the hedgrow, and I wondered if I could believe my eyes!

Will you believe me when I tell you that whilst I was still gasping with the thrill of this encounter the soundtrack came bursting into my consciousness~ a cuckoo!

The first cuckoo of spring no less, just behind us and out of sight, high in the tree canopy. He started tentatively, as though clearing his throat. Then he ploughed on with metronomic regularity "cuckoo, cuckoo, cuckoo."

Being the seasoned country girl I, of course bust into tears! ( i-pod obligingly selected "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughan Williams. Too much serendipity to expect Delius to be the choice!) As the strings soared so did my quiet little soul.

Home again now and much concentrating and musing over black rabbits has taken place. I find myself reaching for a much neglected copy of an old favourite book.

And lusting after this lovely screen print by Sally Elford

"Watership Down" by Sally Elford,

you can buy the silk screen print here

Hope you are enjoying all this balmy weather,

Sarah-Jane Darko

xXx

Lovely

2011-04-14T17:00:00.010+01:00

Today is lovely.

Yes! Extraordinarily lovely,

It began early with a trot around 40 acre field for Mr.Boodle and the field margins were glowing blue with drooping bells.

Next a packet arrived from Australia crammed with brilliant art works specially commissioned from the littlest "Far~aways".

Genius!

Closely followed by beautiful friends who came for coffee, cakes and cultural studies!

I have had such fun baking cakes and gathering flowers to adorn the kitchen,

it so nice to share things and support a worthy cause.....

.....I and 15,000 others will be Moonwalking around London on May 14th and my village buddies have supported me brilliantly today ~ a heartfelt thank you to each of them x

Which brings me neatly back to "Lovely" (admirable, adorable, alluring, beauteous, delcious, delightful, enchanting, engaging - particularly when demonstrating with a broom handle!, rare, splendid stunning and sweet. )

You are all.....

Of stars and shadows

2011-04-06T14:49:00.005+01:00

The floor of the woods is a carpet of white stars, it looks as though huge lacy snowflakes have fallen and landed on the green bluebell shoots. The stars are actually white wood anemones, white with a subtle hint of lilac on their throats.

And all the while it seemed as if someone were following me and there, I caught a glimpse of a shadowy girl who I just couldn't seem to shake off.

Wood Anemone "Windflower" or Anemone Nemerosa

Greek legend says that "Anemos", the wind, sends his namesake the anemones in the earliest sping to herald his coming.

I say this is all very well but who's that girl?

xXx

I want buckets full of flowers.....

2011-04-04T16:54:00.007+01:00

.....yes, I want to fill every room with the sweet scent of spring blooms and the unexpected burst of colour a jam jar stuffed with vibrant perky stems provides. Don't get me wrong, I am not into stuffy, prissy starched arrangements, no I am after the spriggy, shaggy, tumbling sort of posy that is thrown together with the confidence of a great artist.

I think the nicest gift a girl could ever receive is a year of flowers delivered to her door, seasonal posies to lift our spirits and brighten our days. This is of course a very decadent thought and I suspect diamonds may come cheaper!

I think in order to satiate this craving of mine I must take a virtual trip to Columbia Road Flower Market, I hope you can come too?

First we need to head over to the East End

This illustration is by Lucinda Rogers~ I am such a fan of her work, you may have seen some of her paintings in Country Living Magazine?

Open House is a brilliant shop we must call in here...

But first let's admire the flowers

I do feel better for that! Perhaps one day I will have buckets of flowers delivered to my door. Until then.....

A tiny garden posy in a mustard jar will do just as well.

Have a lovely week

xXx

Love you Magpie

2011-04-02T19:38:00.008+01:00

Once upon a time there was a beautiful Magpie and she had two little chicks to care for and nurture.........

.......and one day the chicks flew away as they were all grown up and ready to face the world.

And they never forget all that she had done for them and they love her

In my mother's house

There was happiness
I wrapped my myself in it
Was my chrysalis
As my life unfolds
See a pattern through
Of you protecting me
And I protecting you
What was that you'd say
Make your own mistakes
And when you're grown
Make sure that you remain the same
Now I realise
What was on your mind
When I left your side
Like a butter fly

"Butterfly" Corrine Bailey Rae

Happy Mother's Day Magpie
xXx

Apple Blossom

2011-03-31T11:00:00.008+01:00

Nod to Pen at Cottage Industry,

simply had to include her doily tree in this photo montage

as it seemed so perfect amongst the buds and blossoms.

Ok I admit I am becoming a little obsessive on this subject ( see my Eve's Pudding post here)

but I make no apologies as it has spurred me to share this beautiful fairytale of a song by Esperanza Spalding.

I can't begin to explain the loveliness so when you have a quiet moment have a listen.........

Esperanza Spalding - Apple Blossom(part. Milton Nascimento)

Just had to paint the blossom currently starring on the kitchen table.

Thank you to Belinda at Wild Acre who made me brave enough to show you x

Indigo-violet spring

2011-03-24T16:25:00.009Z

Morning broke bright - crisp - blue - and clear.

Hooray - This early bird has a stall at the Hever Spring Fair today.

The fair is being held in the pavilion at Hever Castle in Kent ( childhood home of Anne Boleyn. )

Walking from the car park at 7.30 am towards the lake the day was full of extraordinary promise. ( Before you think me terribly organised to be up and at them at such an ungodly hour I should say that the Lane is only two miles from the castle and I packed the car last night! )

I promptly set about unpacking my wares!

As I was finishing a friend whispered that she wanted to whizz out and see if the "blue garden" was out. The Blue Garden? What blue garden? I quizzed as she disappeared round the bend and through an archway.

Oh my goodness this exquisite garden unfurled before me, all hyacinths, violets and pansies sweet scents wafted into the morning breeze. All encasedwithin wonderful old brick walls I simply want to show you how beautiful it is.....

Just heavenly.....

Hmm, must get back to work!

xXx