A Summer Music Festival.

(This is a duplicate post from my Sasha blog.)

There is a lot of music going on here at Rose Cottage at the moment...both inside and outside of the house.

Bobby has been practising his guitar in the garden, enjoying the inspiration nature brings him.

Edith has found her flute, much to her relief and is now busy catching up on her preparation with the help of Peggy Sue.

Peggy Sue looks up at her to see her cue for when to start.

Hamish is busy practising his cornet.

Henry waits patiently with his clarinet.

Seems Hamish is going to be playing for a bit longer yet.

Later on Henry accompanies Peggy Sue..

Peggy Sue has been very diligent with her Cello playing.

Anne-Marie joins them on the violin.

A lovely trio of music.

These two girls have been working hard together.  Sometimes the two sisters get on so well and it is good to see them progress.

As to the Sasha girls...I am not sure what has been going on there...but there has been much banging and percussion type 'music' happening...and apparently no one is allowed to know what they are preparing yet...

Secret Santa Gifts - Part Two

Bobby got to open the rest of our Secret Santa swap as (you may remember) Amy opened the other parcel addressed to her a few days before Christmas.

The gift is addressed to everyone, so they will have to share.

Wow, it is their very own mobile phone!

Daniel leans over for a closer look.

Bobby takes it out of its box.

They all seem pretty pleased with it!

Next he hands out the chocolates from the delightful Christmas stocking.

There are plenty of chocolates to go around.

Elle, seems very pleased with hers as she looks at it with wonder.  I don't think she has ever had chocolate before.

I am sure they will all be running round very excited after eating all the chocolate as there is even more inside the stocking!

Kidz n Cats, Camille & a New Arrival

Kidz n Cats Camille came to live here in 2011...I can't believe it was that long ago!  She still hasn't got her 'own' name and is STILL wearing the clothing she arrived in.  I have ummmed and ahhed over the last year as to whether she is going to stay or not and that is probably one reason she has remained as she is.  I am still not certain, but I think she probably will stay.  If this is the case she is really going to to have to have a name and some new clothes!  I just need to decide what her character and style is going to be.

A girl I have admired for a long time and very nearly got earlier this year, but didn't due to various reasons, the main being finances, meant that I missed out on getting her as the one I saw was the last one available.  I then of course wished I had got her, but accepted that it wasn't to be, at least not at that time.  Well the other day I found one, quite by accident, never having been removed from her box, being sold for a very good price so I went for her!  Of course I didn't factor in the Customs Pirates now did I?  I am sure they are not supposed to tax goods where the Country of Origin is UK or Europe, but I am not absolutely certain, and had to pay up the ransom notice.  She is supposed to be a Christmas present, but well I just HAD to check that everything was okay about her now didn't I?  Guessing there won't be much for me to open this year!

I was just hoping she would be as good as I hoped as I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Kidz n Cats girls.  I got Sophie last year for my birthday but she had a problem with her leg, was sent back, a replacement sent out (couldn't fault the service, it was excellent) but well, she just didn't seem quite the same and I never felt right about her, so off she went to a new home.  I am happy to report that so far I think this girl is going to fit in with my boys quite well!

A little shy...

Bobby seems really taken with her as he says hello and introduces himself...he is thinking perhaps he has found a girlfriend closer to home!

She already has her first item of new clothing...

A beret in purple as that seems to be her colour!

She tries it on for size.

Yes a look of quiet confidence has set in.  I think she is going to fit in very well indeed.

Now she just needs to tell me her name.

Hanging Out

This is a duplicate post of one just posted on my Sasha blog, so apologies to those who read both, but I couldn't quite decide where it belonged!

Henry's brother Bobby and Rory's cousin Hamish are hanging out together...doing whatever it is that  boys do when they are not climbing trees, playing football etc...

Henry wanders over wanting to know if he can 'hang out' as well....

Sure why not?  The boys say...

So what are you doing?  Henry asks.

Well you know... Hamish replies.

Henry doesn't know, but doesn't like to ask.

After a while Henry decides that he is rather bored and wanders off... not really sure what 'hanging out' really entails.

A little while later the boys are joined by Alistair

Hey guys. He says.

Hey there Al. They reply.

The three have got 'hanging out' (or is it loitering?) down to a fine art!

I'm not sure if Alister is going to stick around yet, but thought I would see how in 'integrates' with the others...He may need a new name if he is staying.

Bobby gets a cap and Peggy Sue a bedroom!

I made a cap for Bobby last night to go with his jacket.  He seems pretty pleased with it.

Such a lovely boy.

Just love this cap!

I've been busy this afternoon making a 'bedroom' for Peggy Sue.  It is still very much a work in progress.  I need to make a 'proper' floor and hang some pictures on the wall.  I have another bed in mind for her but couldn't get to it today and it may well turn out unsuitable but will see.  Depending on which bed I end up using I will make a bed set to go with it.  I have already chosen the quilt I want to make.

Not the most flattering picture Peggy Sue....you look a bit dazed!

I've done a sepia shot of each photo as well to give me an idea of what it will all look like.

I think it has sunk in!  She as a new room!

The little set of drawers is too modern so I will have to keep an eye out for something a bit different.

Well what do you think Peggy Sue?  Little Owen asks/

Quite a surprise!