Looking back over the last week or two, I think the theme must have been 'madness', and it still is.
But 'mad' in a crazy, busy, hyper, fun-filled time.  So far, we are clinging onto what could be sanity, and have eluded the asylum.  In this time of summer madness, Mr Cooper has worn 'even madder than usual' shirts, and I have also worn some crazy clothes.  But, I said a little sadly to him after a day out, even if I stood next to you in my brightest dress, considerably more luminous than your shirt, wearing a hat with sparklers blazing from it, and constantly sounding air horns, people will say, 'Wow, amazing shirt that, John' and I will always be the peahen standing next to my peacock.
But away from comments on dress conventions or otherwise, and back to madness.

Each year Midhurst has its own carnival, a glorious festival for music, arts and drama.

This year I was invited to exhibit my work in 'Comestibles', a really lovely delicatessen and cafe in Midhurst.  http://www.picnic-park.co.uk/deli.htm
What better place to showcase my 'food art?'
And what better place to indulge yourselves too, over lunch or coffee.
Go there at the very least for a slice of their  homemade (of course) honeycomb tiffin,
 pausing only as you go in to see my work featured in the left hand window.....

And also the right hand window.

What has really made the sun come out for us over the last few days is that Sarah has come to stay with us, travelling from the Falkland Islands where she lives, with her fiance Ali. It is always lovely to see Sarah, and have her to stay, and me and Mr Cooper can both say wholeheartedly that it has also been lovely to meet Ali, and have him to stay too. 
They are getting married next year (you may remember their  Facebook announcement to the world, which I also featured in in my blog, many months ago....here it is again)

Here they are, on a crazy day out in Portsmouth, where Ali had to meet even more  new people.

He has been subjected to an experience a bit like speed dating, called 'speed meeting', and he has done really well!
Next February, they will be the ones to say to us, 'And here are twenty more people for you to get to know in the next half hour, and to remember their names, interests and occupations.  As me and Mr Cooper are sadly now no longer young, I am sure things will become a little blurry round the edges.....or it might be that we will be sitting in a pub when these introductions are made!

During these ultra-exciting times, some of life goes on as normal.  And what could be more normal for me and son John than a trip to a steam fair?  Strangely enough, Mr Cooper and Sam opted to stay away, as did Sarah and Ali.
 Good job John and I were happy to join the ranks of the other 'normal' people there!

Very early into our visit, I found out what 'Galloping Dobbies' are *.  Well, I did know what they were, but had never heard them called that before.

And it was the owner of this Showmans engine that very kindly enlightened me.  He also said that the youngsters in his family weren't keen to take up the reins when it came to steam.
 I told John this, who said 'Well he could give it to me then.'
Lots of fun was had looking at the steam cars whizz round at an alarming rate.  That would indeed be a madly thrilling ride, perched on the passenger seat of one of those.  As I am an artist, I didn't take   an informative photo of them, but here is a highlight from a steam car, which was built in 1903, in America.

It is quite tiring, being a steam enthusiast, and John and I had to keep our strength up, during the few hours we were there.
We had the most amazing freshly-cooked flatbread with green olive tapenade, lemon and beetroot hummus, and dukka.  So delicious, the flatbread was warm and crisp, but with a soft and yielding interior.  It was also only the third time I had been offered dukka, which I love.  The first time was when I made it, and offered it to myself, and the second time was in Woodfire,where Sam made it.
I think it is still on the menu there. http://woodfirestockbridge.co.uk/

In fact it is such a delicious dippy treat that I will add the recipe for it, at the end of the blog.**

Over the past few days I have missed out on some of the festive treats, as I have also been hard at work.  But never-the-less, I have managed to

a)  Visit a bridal shop with Sarah and her mum, to sort of assist in choosing a beautiful dress.

b)  Eat too much, including takeaway food. (Memories of India, Bosham. Delish.)

c)  Go to Fratton Park to see Pompey play.  Well, they were on the pitch at the same time as the 

     other team, Colchester.  Pompey actually managed to score 2 goals!

d)  Have a very hot and sunny day out with many people in Gunwharf, most of whom I knew.

e)  Cook meals of the 'extra special' variety.

f)   Entertain other visitors.

g)  Wash up after cooking and entertaining.

h)  Eat too much at the Beijing Palace.  Conveniently, just over the road.  I nearly had to ask

     Mr Cooper to fetch the wheelbarrow as I was just too stuffed to walk home.
i)  Get up stupidly early to start to complete the 'Figures in the Sea' for Diane.
j)  Complete an 'out of the blue' painting, in 3 days.  More about that in my next blog.  The painting will be in The Falklands by then.

Lots more happened, of course, and lots more is still to come.
Rachael, Ben and Henry came over too.....

Here they all are, looking happy and beautiful.
 Well, you can just see Henry's leg, looking happy, beautiful and asleep.   I failed to capture him when awake, on camera.  It is not just steam cars that I fail to capture!
I also failed to capture the stripy suit I had knitted for him, which had taken 3 months!
Better luck next time, when I have completed the mad bootees.

Of late, I have been wondering whether to buy a camper van and have a sort of 'last hurrah' before becoming really old and generally just growling, and biting people.
But after the frantic pace of the last week or so, the thoughts of an even much slower pace of life than that offered by an elderly camper van appeal greatly.
What about a living-wagon, pulled along by something even more inconvenient than a couple of feathered horses?  Yes, a traction engine!

I really would be on my own with that, as Mr Cooper has reservations about me having a camper van!

In the brief free moments when not socialising, working, painting or cooking, I have managed to read a book or two.  This one by Caitlin Moran I enjoyed quite a lot, and at times an awful lot.

 I did feel that there were very distinct parallels to 'How To Be A Woman', but I was greatly taken by the description of the difference given between the rich and the poor.
So much so that I include the description below.

Read it, and see what you think.  If you have the book, it is on pages 167-168.

Staying with a literary theme,  the last 3 weeks have gone by so quickly that I was shocked to realise that it is Book Group next Wednesday.  Thank goodness for next-day-delivery I thought, as I pressed 'proceed the checkout'.
But there is so much art work I need to do, that it might be the first time I fail to complete the book.
As well as the 3 art works already in the queue, I am now also helping to design a tattoo.  I am turning someone's really interesting ideas into a working drawing.  There won't be another tattoo like this one.
And yes, I did for a little while think 'Why not be a tattooist?'   But then I thought of all the reasons why not.  Mainly, you do not have an eraser!  I suppose I could offer a reasonable rate for a reasonably good job!

I hope you are all still enjoying the summer, and making few, if any, errors in life.
And if made, hopefully the sort of errors that can be rectified, rather than the errors I might make if let loose with a tattoo gun! 
Perhaps best to stick to pastry, as the results are either edible, or compostable.

See you all soon for glimpses of knitted bootees, sudden paintings and amazing oak fairs.
Till then, may your errors be only of the culinary nature.....unless you are cooking to impress, that is.

* 'Galloping Dobbies'.  A child-size set of gallopers, turned by hand and not by steam.

**
Dukka.  Taken from 'River Cottage Everyday' by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingtall.

How to turn your house into a home, or rather, into somebody else's home.
Last week saw the ending of the decorating,
 and the final room changed from being fairly dramatic......

 to fairly banal..........(well, a bit of colour still crept in, thank goodness)

And when people say to me, you won't want to leave, when you've got it all decorated, my reply is that I am looking forward to making a home again.  A funny thing to say, really.
Does it intimate that the house looked fairly hideous before?

As well as colour disappearing, Mr Cooper removed the last painting to feature naked bodies,

 and we replaced it with the last of a series of three, in which blackbird pie funnels feature significantly.  Here is  'Blackbirds Flying From The Pie.'

It looked so good hanging there that we added the other two from the series, and they now adorn the office walls. 
Here is the first one,  'The Filling for the Pie',

And here is the second, which was actually painted first.  'Pie in the Sky'.

Sometimes I say 'These paintings need a good home.'  About these three, I say 'They are all for sale, but of course the potential homes will be fully vetted.' (Commissions undertaken, too.)


I started to collect blackbird pie funnels in my thirties, aiming for the full 'four and twenty'. I seemed to tail off a bit after collecting 12 or so, and then put them in my paintings, rather than on my shelves.
This is the first painting that featured blackbirds pie funnels.....you can see them flying in the window, as well as bursting out of the pie.  Here is 'The King of Hearts"

And of course it then needed a companion painting, 'The Queen of Hearts'.
No pie-funnels here, but another great love of mine has crept in, both as a comestible, and a recurring art motif.  Jam tarts! ( And aprons, too)

I am not going to include a recipe here, but a jam tart making tip.  Make the pastry the day before you need the tarts. (Half fat to flour, the flour being plain, and the fat either butter and lard, or butter and Trex if cooking for vegetarians.) Make it as short as possible, then roll it out and cut your circles, put them into the jam tart tins, cover with cling and leave them overnight in the fridge.
By 'short', I mean add as little water to the rubbed in mixture as possible. Too much and the pastry will be easy to work, but tough when baked.  You want these tarts to be crumbly and delicious.
And hopefully the next day you will be adding your homemade jam to them.  If not made by you, please don't buy an economy jar.......proper jam tarts have become a lovely indulgence.

At least now I have stopped painting walls, I can turn my attention to proper paintings yet again.
The first of which will be completing the 'Swimmers in the Sea' for Diane, and then the portrait painting of Janeese's two dogs, with elements of the Virgin Mary and also Frieda Kahlo.
 I am very much looking forward to that commission, and sketches for it are already appearing in my sketchbooks.

As I was cleaning and polishing select items to add to our new living room, the majority of the items destined for storage for a while, I had a pleasant surprise when I washed my blackbird collection.

I now have 20 blackbird pie funnels, 2 white blackbird pie funnels, 2 elephant pie funnels and 2 brightly coloured silicone ones.  If anyone has a pie funnel they neither use or treasure, just let it fly my way.  I am sure it will be made welcome by the friendly, shiny flock I now have.

At least now, in my alien room, I can feast my eyes on my no-longer dusty friends, then wander off to the shed for even more painting, of the right sort.

Perhaps life in my new home isn't too bad, after all!

Wishing you all a happy week ahead.  May it be shiny and dust-free, with indulgent interludes.
 Why not make some jam tarts for tea?
See you all in a week's time.  Till then, happy baking!

We all love a week in Sunny Hunny!
In fact, I am always so excited to arrive that the first 2 days almost become a mini holiday within the holiday.  That is, of course, after we have sorted out the housekeeping.
Sam and John knew they were having to share a room for a couple of nights, but when we got there, we realised a double room came with a double bed!  Re-think time......a trip to the budget-buys shop to get an air bed and a sleeping bag.
It was only when we unwrapped it that we understood why the sleeping bag only cost £3.99!

Oh well, it's worse where there's none.....

Our first complete day was very busy.....we visited every charity shop there was (too many, and no purchases made) then had lunch on The Green, purchased from the Norfolk Deli, http://www.norfolk-deli.co.uk/ with liquid refreshment provided by the Golden Growler (aka The Golden Lion, which borders the green)

One word of advice here......leave Mr Cooper at home if you are planning to drink outside the Golden Growler, as you will be given a plastic glass!  This incensed Mr Cooper so much that his continual moaning did mar the enjoyment of the best filled bagel I have ever had*.  My thoughts on the plastic glass front were, 'Why not collect a few over the week ahead, ready for picnic time!'
Which also gives drinking in the sunshine a sense of purpose.

Then later that day, Sam and I had one of the ultimate Hunstanton experiences...a trip on the Wash Monster.  http://www.seatours.co.uk/

Although the day had been hot and sunny, in the afternoon the breeze had changed to a lightish wind,
and as we sat there ready for off, our shared feelings were 'It's only for 30 minutes, whatever happens'

'Whatever happens' was like being on a rather large raft in a slightly choppy sea.  The guide told us they were seaworthy in a force 12 gale........but not with me and Sam sitting on it!
We concentrated instead on the outward bound views......

........followed by the homeward bound views.

Then back on terra-firma, and a restorative drink outside in the last of the sunshine, in a plastic glass.
(That's 2 for the picnic hamper now!)

On Sunday, 4 of us set off for the antiques and crafts centre in Old Hunstanton, to be followed by a little light lunch at Le Strange Arms.
 https://www.bestwestern.co.uk/hotels/best-western-le-strange-arms-hotel-83646

The weather was perfect, the only cloud on the horizon being that 2 out of 4 of us had forgotten to bring any money, and 1 out of 4 of us didn't really have any to forget, which left Mr Cooper as the only one with any cash.  So we made no purchases but went straight on to lunch.  Then, off to St Mary the Virgin, still in Old Hunstanton, to visit the flower festival there.

I must apologise here.....we had lunch looking over the sea, we visited an amazing church which is found in the remains of a medieval village, we thoroughly enjoyed an imaginative and varied flower festival, then went to visit their Garden Fete (sadly now with only £2 between us) and I only took one photo from all those experiences........

Yes, the fete also had a mini dog show too!

Usually when we have our bi-annual holiday in Hunstanton, we tend to do the same things.  This year we thought we would include some new events.  One new event that we didn't actually plan was a sickness bug which slowly worked its way through a quarter of the population, ending with me! **
(My last day there was spent in bed, sipping water and reading yet another book)

One event we did plan was to take Mum to Norfolk Lavender (regular event) but then onto a pub for a lovely lunch. 

It's lovely to have a lavender fix without having to go to the south of France.

Mr Cooper thought so too......

........and Mum liked the idea of a little light lunch to follow.

 We turned left out of Norfolk Lavender and found an excellent pub in the Sedgeford, the next village.  The King William IV.  http://www.thekingwilliamsedgeford.co.uk/
Faultless service, lovely atmosphere and delicious food.  Our only complaint was that we were unable to also have a pudding, as we were too full.  (For me, mackerel, beetroot and orange salad, followed by shark steak served with pineapple salsa and a wonderful mixed salad. )  If you are near, beat a path to its door.  And if you are not near, go anyway and stay for a night or two.

Mr Cooper was determined to visit Holme beach, found in the village next to Old Hunstanton,
Holme-Next-The-Sea.  He had read an article in the Sunday Times, saying how beautiful the beach was, so we  set out, armed with 2 apples and  £3.50 for the car park.  It is not too long a walk to the beach from the car park, but then you have a choice of how far you want to walk to the left or to the right.
It is an amazing beach, with an abundance of sand, a sprinkling of sand dunes and, even better, only a handful of people! We made camp at the bottom of a dune to shelter from the perpetual wind.
The couple occupying the dune to the left of us were looking to get an 'all over' tan!

This is showing evidence of yardangs, and something else technical beginning with Z.
(Zeugens, Mr Cooper has just told me)  To be found in the desert on a much larger scale.

And here we are looking left, with Old Hunstanton on the horizon.

Looking right now, with sea and sand on the horizon......there is an awful lot of sand here.

Looking towards the sea, from the shelter of our 'dune for the day'.

In the sea now, up to my ankles, looking back at the dunes.

But I love this image best of all, here are my knitted flowers basking in the sun.

Of course there was more we did, including cooking and washing up.
We had a great evening, as always, with Philip and Jayne, and Marcus and Edward.
And then I was struck down!

 During my recovery day, after a turbulent night, I read the latest book club choice.....

It is probably not a good idea to read the book club choice whilst ailing.
When I went along to the meeting on Wednesday, I was glad I was sitting next to Hetty, as the other 3 members began to discuss a book that didn't bear much resemblance to the one above.
It is worth a read, but not if you are feeling downcast and in need of a lift.
It is also set in Ireland (first thing that Hetty and I had failed to comprehend...although we were great on the emotion bits)

Back to West Sussex, work and decorating, and looking forward to a happy time ahead.  We made a huge effort over the weekend to finish the last and largest room, so it is ready for when Sarah and Ali are with us, tomorrow morning!  We are now able to watch the Olympics in a clutter-free zone, cream walls instead of red!  It is like being in someone elses house!

I hope you all have a good time ahead of you, whether or not you have family visiting from the Falklands!  And as a sort of bonus award for those of you who have read through to the very end,
Here is the recipe for the best bagel ever, courtesy of the Norfolk Deli.

*The Bostonian, a bagel with peanut butter, cream cheese and celery.
Spread one half of your cut bagel with crunchy peanut butter, the other half with cream cheese (just reach for that tub of Philly) and add some freshly chopped celery, green and crunchy, to the middle.
It's amazing!

**Found out later that I wasn't the last to fall....poor Olivia was struck down when she left.

In this week's blog, there is an especially large animal content.  Plus, a real treat.... we get to meet Commander Cuddles and his black, furry brother (un-named as yet)
But first, let's get the weirdest animals out of the way!

Sunday saw myself, Mr Cooper and son John heading for the Rare Breeds Show, at Singleton.
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/ I hadn't been to this event for a few years, and it has certainly grown.  Next year I will get there as soon as the event is open, to avoid a hugely long walk from the car-park to the show.  (I developed blisters doing this, having managed to survive the South Downs Walk!)

On the day when all the animals were created, I think a few were designed when their creator had been for a liquid lunch.  I think every home should have a pair of Alpacas, purely to make everyone smile.  Not only do they look bizarre, they are able to nibble their back hooves, and make mewing/humming noises.

Having been thoroughly cheered by the sight of several Alpacas, we took the rest of the event more seriously, and I set out to find the elusive Icelandic sheep.  They might not be elusive as a breed, but they are very difficult to find when a) you don't know what they look like and b) the pens show the entry number for their occupants, but not necessarily the breed.

Here one is, and well worth the search.  They are small, and their fleece is amazing....long guard hairs and a beautifully dense fleece underneath.  We had a good 'sheepy' chat with their owners/breeders, and son John is considering acquiring a fleece to spin.

Moving away from animal shows..........and towards creative workshops.

After the success of my last workshop, 'Create An Image Using Tissue Paper', it was time for  another. In fact, I was asked to supply another.  I decided that papier mache would be the next medium we would explore, as it is incredibly versatile, plus cheap and easy to do at home.  After a very enjoyable shopping session for the materials, I was looking forward to Saturday, when the girls were coming over.

Being creative can be draining, so I made a delicious lunch to help us along (plus a chilled bottle of white, of course).  I made a brie and walnut quiche from the second Ambridge cookbook. (As Jennifer Aldridge is a farmer's wife, there is still a tenuous link to animals here.....)

The quiche proved so delicious (it was described as Elizabeth's favourite, from the days when Nelson Gabriel had his wine bar) that I give you the recipe for it.  Sometimes in life we tend to overlook the simpler, more un-complicted things.  This quiche, all warm and souffle-like from the oven is definitely  a recipe where the outcome is far greater than its parts.  Try it, and enjoy!

Sadly, Nelson is no longer with us, and probably even more sadly, one of his good customers died a while back too.  Nigel Pargetter, the then boyfriend of Elizabeth.  Formerly known as 'Mr Snowy', for those of us may be no longer young in years, but still young at heart.

The papier mache Saturday arrived, as did the sun.  It proved to be too hot to work in my shed, so we moved into the kitchen to be creative in the cool.
Here we are all are, showing that working with papier mache is indeed fun, especially after lunch.  Birds, mirror frames, hearts and bowls were all created both from papier-mache and mod-roc.

Thanks everyone, I had such a fun day with you all.  We managed to laugh so much without even catching sight of a single alpaca!

As I had spent a week working inside, looking out at the glorious sunshine, Mr Cooper whisked me away when everyone had gone home.  He took me to the Hare and Hounds in Stoughton where I ate crisps and drank wine in the sunshine.  I also discovered their old sign which no longer hangs, but is hidden by plants, propped up in front of the pub.
I was pleased to see it again, as it is one of my absolute favourites.

And now for Commander Cuddles and his recently-named brother, Lord Snooty.  Commander Cuddles is a little bit smaller than his brother, and initially more out-going and friendly, hence their names.
 Here is an indistinct but historic photo recording the first time they both sat together on a human being since leaving their birth home, purring and snoozing.  Those legs belong to me, clad in my kitchen porter dungarees.  There are two kittens there, just count the ears!

And here is a clearer image, with Snoots (I think) in the background, and Cuddles, (perhaps), looking at something with his round kitten button eyes.  As well as an Alpaca, every household should have a kitten or two, every 7 years. 

Next week it is goodbye to kittens for a while and hello to Hunstanton, where I will be staying with my family, Mum, and my bros and their families, plus two boyfriends.  (Having re-read this, it sounds as if I may be tiring of Mr Cooper, and bringing along a boyfriend or two for added excitement, but no.  James and Jon firmly belong to Ella and Olivia respectively, and Mr Cooper is still full of excitement for me.)
 Is is always lovely to spend time with all the family, and North Norfolk is one of my most favourite parts of the England.  I think that is why I love where I live so much, as the immediate countryside is so very similar to that between Hunstanton and Sheringham.

So I leave you with a view taken half a mile from my house, and next week I will join you again with many more views, from in and around Sunny Hunny.  (You have been warned!)

But first, a small burst of culture for you all. 
David Mitchell wrote the brilliant 'Cloud Atlas' and also this novel.

I did think 'What's going on here?' at the end of the first chapter, but changed that very quickly to 'What is going on here is amazing!  And amazingly weird.......rather like our fuzzy friend, the Alpaca.

Enjoy your week ahead........I hope any weird happenings are also pleasurable, and sunshine and fun are still big parts of your weekly life.
See you all very soon now.