Christmas gifts

No, I haven't gone completely bonkers. Whilst the kids were happily watching Harry Potter (just to clarify, we had been out for a walk, been to the library, baked cakes and played in the garden) I cracked on with making a make-up bag and accessory roll. Hope to give this to one of my mates for Christmas. Am loving this Michael Miller fabric. It's one I picked up in Brighton.

I love my chooks

Here's a photo of the chooks enjoying the garden. They love scratching around in the flower beds and dust bathing in this heat. They're such good company when I'm pottering around outside..... wouldn't be without them.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Took the Wednesday Club on tour last Friday and ventured off to a very sunny Brighton! Had a great big fry up en route, ready for a day mooching around the lanes and all of the other glorious shops Brighton has to offer. We refuelled around 3 for a cream tea - very naughty but we needed the sugar boost - and continued our shop fest in the North Lanes.

Claire treated herself to a Pandora bracelet and a couple of charms, she was quite restrained really as there were sooooo many gorgeous charm temptations. Lorraine took home a Ollie and Nic bag and purse which was a late birthday treat. Lynda bought a couple of funky housie bits and Sarah purchased a tea towel! Julie informed us half way through the day that she doesn't really do shopping....... can't say the same for me. Finally bought the Cath Kidston satchel that I've been drooling over, purchased some Molton Brown goodies and found a wonderful fabric shop - Ditto - to add some American fabrics to my stash.

Finished off with dinner at Carluccios and a walk along the beach. I highly recommend it!

Can I go to bed yet?

This is turning out to be yet ANOTHER manically busy week. The Clifton family is just about holding it together and limping through to the school hols.

On the plus side, Mimi has been offered a modelling contract for a fab and funky kids' agency who have lots of big name clients. She's extremely excited. I've sold some handmade goodies this week so have some extra cash to spend in Brighton with the girls on Friday. I'm off to see a friend of mine tread the boards on Thursday evening in a production of Absent Friends (my second trip to the theatre in 2 weeks, yippee!!).

Tomorrow is a mad one - school trip for Cakes, Mimi has a musicial production, play dates and finally both kids are at Cubs. I'll enjoy that glass of wine at Ugo's with Dr Green whilst they are both down at the Coal Hole.

Dr Green is looking forward to a day of golf on Friday whilst I'm swanning around in Brighton. Just hope he remembers to collect the kids from school. YIKES!!

As the World Cup draws to an end, the Clifton sweepstake is hotting up. Jake has Germany and Uruguay, Esme has Holland and I have Spain. Viva Espanol!!!

Caravan envy!!

I absolutely adore this funky little retro caravan. There are more photos on the Happy Loves Rosie blog. You can pick up a very basic small caravan for a few hundred pounds. Problem is getting it into the garden through the side gate. That's not going happen! I might just see how much it would cost to hire a crane and drop it in the garden over the house!!! That would amuse the neighbours.

What a lovely little den it would make at the bottom of the garden. The kids could have sleepovers with their mates and I could hide in it when it all gets a bit manic!! Could fill it with lovely fabric things....

Footballs coming home...

... not! It seems to have packed its bags and moved permanently away from these shores. Shocking result last night but great evening of football at the Bossoms. Loved the football pitch that Alex had painted onto the lawn for the pre big match footie tournament. And well done to Jake's team - Jake, Neil and Alex - for winning the trophy. Scrummy bbq food and, as always, the best company ever. Thanks everyone. (Photo of Jake in action and with his treasured trophy.)

Lovely North Norfolk

We have just returned from a really relaxing break in gorgeous North Norfolk. The Clifton curse gave us only two days of poor weather. For the latter part of the week, we were basking in sunshine. Cakes is no longer translucent, Mimi has topped up her tan and Dr Green is off-white, dare I say sun-kissed!

With thanks to mum and dad, we stayed in Fiddlers Barn a wonderful barn conversion in Binham. The village itself has everything you need - as the other half mentioned frequently. This includes a well stocked shop and a great little pub, The Chequers, which brews its own beer and provides take-outs! Dr Green was in his element. A few minutes walk from the barn and we were walking around the stunning remains of Binham Priory.

The beaches are vast with a natural landscape - Brancaster, Holkham, Wells next the sea. The kids enjoyed paddling in the sea at Brancaster on a particularly warm Wednesday, collecting treasure (shells) and sliding down sandbanks.

On the not so good days weatherwise, we managed trips to Norwich and an animal sanctuary (surprisingly enjoyable for the grown ups too). Blickling Hall was also a highlight, as was the visit to the National Trust shop. The Blakeney seal trip was a memorable occasion. Thanks to Captain Roy and his patience we managed to see some otherwise elusive seals basking in their natural habitat. Had a successful Joules shopping trip in Holt too.

Oh yep, can't forget lots of good eating out. We LOVED The Hosst Arms in Burnham Market. That was a huge cream tea and, yes mum, the ladies loos are amazing. Lunch at Byfords in Holt is highly recommended. Great wholesome food (and portions) and it's blinkin' reasonably priced. (The Victoria sponges are the largest I've seen at £8 a cake.)The Cliftons had a nice meal in the Jolly Sailor at Brancaster. But, best of all, we had many visits to The Kings Head in Letheringsett (that's the one in the photo). Mimi would have loved Kate Humble's autograph but she was hiding behind a large glass of white - Kate not Mimi that is. All in all... heaven. We will be back.