One Day - the perfect summer book

Welcome if you've linked to this page from 'The Books Cafe' http://home-shabby-home.blogspot.com . I have chosen One Day by David Nicholls as my recommendation for perfect summer reading. I have just read this along with members of my local book group and we discussed it when we met this week. It's rare that we read a book that we all absolutely love so this book has to be pretty special.

The book tells the story of Emma and Dexter who meet for the first time on the night of their University graduation - 15th July 1988. Where will they be on this day next year? And the next? This story of love, friendship and growing up spans 20 years, and is equally funny and sad. It is a wonderful book. It made me laugh and cry in equal measures - the characters are completely convincing.

Author Tony Parsons says about the book:  ‘A brilliant book about the heartbreaking gap between the way we were and the way we are."

I adored it - so will you.

My first cushions

So here they are. My first go at cushion making. I've used vintage style material sourced from ebay - the buttons on the cowboy design are original vintage. The button fastening is easy to do for a novice like me and I like the additional decorative feature of pretty buttons. I really welcome feedback - please do let me know what you think.

I love this fabric - reminds me of when Carrie Bradshaw went to Paris!

I've backed this cute cowboy fabric with some jolly red gingham.

Somerset cottages

I was in cottage heaven this weekend! This was my first time on the Somerset coast. What a treat! The sun was shining and the scenery simply gorgeous.  The beautiful  medieval village of Dunster was totally captivating - it has the most perfect chocolate box cottages. Here's some that had me drooling...

And some beautiful cottage gardens too...

How about a thatched cottage on the beach? These beauties are in the idyllic Porlock Weir...

My favourite things - part two

Some more decorative items in Lilac Cottage. The trouble with all these collectables is the dusting! I've tried paring things down but can never bear to consign anything to the attic.

Oxhey Open Gardens

I spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the annual Oxhey Open Gardens.  I confess to being a snoop! I love open garden events - how many times have you wondered what lies behind a garden gate? I was flabbergasted to find a swimming pool in one garden, in a street of tiny terraces!  

Beautiful old vintage signs

And a sense of humour!