Dr Caligari

Yesterday was a really strange day with a lot of mixed emotions. We had spent the night with my sisters at my parents house because they rushed into the hospice to see my Grandma, who passed away the following morning. It had been expected for a while and happened with a real peace, everyone happy in the knowledge she's free from all the pain and in heaven now. We spent the day together; crying and laughing, eating pancakes, playing with Hama beads, cuddling by the Aga and making a huge vegetable curry, which we all ate together that evening (accompanied with heaps of greek yoghurt - it was hot!)
That evening Dad had tickets to take Scarlett and I to the Poly to see a movie, and we decided to still go. It was to watch 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari', a 1920's silent horror film, which was accompanied by a live score of eering singing and lots of sound played by a man surrounded by wires. The band of four were dressed in black with dark green eyeshadow like the character, Cesare. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and vowed to bring everyone to the next silent film evening they showed. It was a wonderful way to end such a surreal day, as we walked back across the cobbled Falmouth streets to our car, we discussed the film and the loss of our beloved grandma with interchanging conversation.

In other news we are going away tomorrow, so don't expect to see much going on here for a week or so. Also we have only 12 weeks left till our babe enters the world! I'm feeling horrible at the moment, and its only going to get worse! This pretty snap was taken a few weeks ago by Liam, but to see my 27 week bump click here.

Scot

The last photo's from my mystery summer film are of my sissie, India in my kitchen. Aren't they so adorable?!
I've mentioned before on here about how she is now studying in Edinburgh and how she is very missed. It was lovely to have her home for such a long time over the christmas holidays. Next Friday it's India's birthday so we're taking the long journey (with a few stop off at friends) to see her. I've never visited Scotland before (except a trip as a wee babe) and I'm so looking forward to it! I will try to remember to take lots of snaps on our new camera's to share with you all.

Stitch

My incredibly talented friend Elizabeth Loveday Birchley has finally made herself a site to display a few pieces of her work. We studied art at college together and I miss working beside her so much. She stitches these illustrations with layers of fabric and thread. You may remember she made us this for a wedding present, one of our most treasured possessions. Please go and check out her site here, and hopefully she will be encouraged to keep uploading these beautiful images!
Sometimes I really miss the routine of art lessons, of having time set aside I had to work. Being self motivated is the hardest thing. Before I know it a whole morning has passed and I feel as though all I've done is sharpen my pencils. I really need to work on this. Also I lack the enthusiasm that comes with working beside other similar-thinking, arty people. Elizabeth, Lally and I would spend all our time in the art rooms, bouncing ideas off of each other and working side-by-side. One day I'd love to share a studio space with them or at least some similarly creative and wonderful girlies. But for now, I must press on and try my best.
What are the best ways that help keep you motivated and productive?

Bridges

During July, we all visited Brighton for a conference. We stayed with Peachy's family in East Sussex and spent an idillic afternoon sat by the river eating sandwiches. The boys competed to see who could jump into the water from the highest tree branch. It was a task getting to the river, we had to climb up onto an old railway bridge and walk along rotting wooden planks a little way before hopping down again into a quiet field of cows. This is such a great photograph of Jenny, what a babe!
I love finding places like this. It echoes my wish of the last post. More adventures please.

Outside.

What a magical place we live in. These seaside photo's are from summer in Newquay. The first are taken on such a beautiful evening we decided to take the youth down onto the beach and have our meeting sat on the sand, the last three from our two year anniversary. We lay on a wonderfully deserted beach, talking about our hopes for the next two years. We really are blessed we that can walk 30seconds out of our door and be at the sea. Cornwall is such an incredible place to live. 

I'm looking forward to the change in temperature and dropping in strong winds. Id like some more outdoors adventures soon pretty please!

Sugar

More photo's from the summer film. One day, we (India, Ruby, Phaedra and myself) spent the afternoon making doughnuts. They were soooo delicious. But took a long time and didn't last very long at all! Just looking at these pictures are making me hungry. I definitely think we should make these again soon... only maybe a few more! mmmmmm

We decided that to start off the year we really need to get all the old films developed as a way of de-cluttering especially before becoming three (I know, it would make a lot more sense to throw out our old magazines or some unworn clothes, but well, we've got to start somewhere!)
We picked up a new set of negatives today with photo's from the beginning of the summer. These few were the last ones from Italy. We spent our last two days in Bologna which was quite a disappointment really. We were excited to go for all the wonderful food that it promised, but when we got there we found it was ugly and full of high street shops. It rained both days so after traipsing round everywhere, we bought pasta, meat, and cheese then spent the rest of the time in our hotel watching Italian dubbed MTV.

We are trying out a new (to us) canon, that we picked up at a car boot for £5, we will see how that goes, and a friend gave me a little Olympus which we'll be trying out soon as well. Hopefully one of these will be able to replace the Minolta.

Our dear old Minolta camera has been on its last legs since we acquired it (from a friend who lent it to us then moved to Australia...win!), and has finally packed in completely.
I developed an old film this week, and discovered it was the last photographs it took. Most of them came out blank but these few made it through. I love the warm haze that hold the memories of summer so beautifully.

Dreaming of the ocean

I dream so much more and so vividly during being pregnant.

Not much else to say from round here, I've been embroidering and enjoying Liams baked bread with loganberry jam.

home sweet home

I have really appreciated our home and having our own space this last couple of weeks. After getting back, we've unpacked all our lovely new things and eaten through half of the sweet treats we gathered over the month. The christmas decorations have made their way home, and the tree was de-needled then hauled outside. We reckon we've just about caught up on our sleep and are trying to adjust back to where we were before we became duvet monsters, cocooned to the sofa watching Great Expectations snacking on dairy treats and carbohydrates (I realised I've had toasted raisin bagels with philadelphia every day of 2012 so far!)
I'm going to try and make extra effort this year to keep our home more organised and cosy for us and friends. It felt like we were away so long this trip and I missed our dear little flat and having our own things around us. I also realised how I do love to have our pals round. Last night we had a film night with my sister, India and Liams bestie, Josh (who are now boyfriend and girlfriend, ooooh!). Liam cooked us enchiladas and we watched a pretty depressing Bill Murray film called Broken Flowers. We then devoured more posh chocolates and looked through all the baby things we've been given already (yay to tiny knitwear!)
It's perfectly perfect to be home.

2012

Happy New Year!

2012 for me means a new hair cut, becoming a mama and spending more time painting. I am looking forward to getting home (we're in Woking with Liam's family this week), taking down the christmas decorations and having a fresh start. Also to sort out all my wonderful christmas presents, among which were this new felt hat, the Frankie diary and this beautiful vintage purse necklace.

New years celebrations as a pregnant lady was very tiring. I foolishly thought that going to a house party being the only sober person would be fine, but it just led to me hanging about the kitchen eating all the sausage rolls and breadsticks, snatching at any sensible conversations that I could. Nether-the-less I had a pretty fun time catching up with friends, reminiscing over the music we used to listen to (far too embarrassing to repeat), trying to dodge drunken firework displays and being asked a kazillion times if I needed to sit down or go to bed.
I'm now exhausted after a long night shared with four snoring boys and a kicking baba, then a miserably cold drive back from Brighton. About to catch some shut eye before enjoying a Roast dinner with Liam's family. x