Hope and love sent to you

from all of us at messy church in Weston. Gill and her team of helpers prepared lots of activities to celebrate Jesus-Christ's resurrection.  Joy and laughter in this village hall, busy volunteers and happy children moving from an activity to another. If you haven't been to a messy church, give it go, come along, it's fantastic!

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy mothers having a chat

He is risen!

Photo album

Best appetizers pour l'apéritif

In my opinion, as Imo would say, here are the 5 best appetizers,  but then I am not keen on salt or chilies so you may disagree! So, light chips, vol au vent, prawns on skewers (best if you prepare them yourself!),
If you wish to have the recipe for the cheese twists, let me know. I will ask my friend Julie. Hers taste yummy.
Don't these look fantastic, click here for the recipe! Do you favour one special appetizer? Let us know and even better, give us the recipe.  Have a great party!

Let's celebrate!

We knew we wanted something different, so when our vicar (Vicar, St Mary's & St Martin's Church, Blyth) suggested a flashmob, we were sold.
Gary Richardson

Service cancelled due to bad weather

Due to the snowdrifts and bad access to Sandon church (a 10 o'clock service) our confirmation service had to be cancelled. Philip, our team rector phoned Bishop Jeff who was digging his car out of the snow up in Barlaston, just on time, and then succeeded to ring all the candidates. 
Fortunately it was decided that we would have a service (at 11:15) at Weston which is of a more accessible church with a better parking. The weather forecast was -I am told- looking quite good yesterday. It was a lovely Palm Sunday service, with excellent hymns, and well attended by parishioners all around Mid-trent churches team. The younger ones made different coloured palm leaves which we shook when we sang 'At the name of Jesus' composed by John Michael Brierley (b. 1932), one of my favourite hymn.
On a funny note, Imo decided to go for a walk with her friend Kathy and was looking for a pair of wellies (size 5). I told her to look in the garage to see if her sister's wellies (size 4) would fit. She found them and brought them to us complaining that there were bits of paper in it. So I emptied them in the garden and to our surprise, with the bits of paper came a fair amount of sunflower seeds. She tried them on but they did not fit. Some time she left. Then Steven, the good looking vicar (!) told me that the rural mice had probably selected those boots for their spring nest and hoard. I told you that the neighbour's cat Lucy always comes uninvited, thinking about it, I am glad that we have this cat keeping the rural mice at bay. 
Have a blessed Sunday. Yours in Christ. N.

Where shall we have lunch?

 At Jamie Oliver, Bristol. On the menu, WILD RABBIT TAGLIOLINI Slow-cooked ragù with garlic

& herbs, mascarpone & lemon, SEAFOOD BUCATINI, Tubularspaghetti steamed in a bag

with crab, mussels, clams, squid, scallops, capers, chilli, garlic, white wine & juicy sweet tomatoes

This was last week when we moved Camille's stuff in her shared house in Bristol. The food, service and welcome were superb!

An escapade in Norfolk

 On the 5th of Feb, the front garden disappears under the snow..

 Our Valentine diner at the Crown of India in Stone. Happy hubby! Delicious food!

 Steve and dad checking the menu for our evening meal

 This is my seat, my table, do not disturb!

 In Titchwell reserve, a very elegant wader
 A redrobin welcoming us.

 During half-term, we decided to visit dad but we didn't take the caravan as we planned to spend Friday night there. Imogen didn't come with us as she was invited to a party. We managed to leave at about 9ish and arrived at Heacham (Norfolk) just after noon. After we had a hug, a chat and a coffee, we left to Titchwell  and on the way stopped in a pub called the White Horse. 

In Titchwell, while Steven had a tour on the beach, dad and I had a bite to eat and I took a few photos. 

Later on we went back to the White Horse to have diner. Dad said that because of the cold weather he hadn't been able to go out as much as he wanted to so he was over the moon.

In the morning, we took dad to Snettisham beach. While he stayed in the car admiring the muddy estuary, Steven and I took a short walk to the hide. I must say that I enjoy more and more birdwatching, simply because I feel that admiring God's creation draws me closer to Him. We had a short but wonderful break. 

Somehow I cannot write those posts just after the events... have a blessed week-end. Your sister in Christ. N.

Birthday at the Bank House pub in Hixon.

A joyful celebration for Steven's birthday at the Bank House in Hixon. I will post a few photos. 

I'd better say that these are Steven's photos as I cannot use my computer at the moment!

It is great to spend quality time with our friends. Of course, we may wonder if the birthday boy enjoyed listening to lots of the usual comments about 'getting older', 'bus pass' and some very good jokes that unfortunately I cannot remember! Actually I can remember a very good one said by Philip..

A vicar is visiting an old lady who is 100 years old 

and asks her how things are going. 

She answers that everything is fine then pauses.

Then she goes on: Oh, things are even better now

 that I managed to get my son who is 80 in a nursing home...

So we were in excellent company, with superb food and drink. 

Do you find it difficult to get to speak to everybody?

 If I am having an interesting conversation,

 I find it hard to stop and move next to somebody else

 and start another equally conversation..

.well, I could spend the whole time talking to the first friend,

 however, I think that it's quite exciting to move on and talk to somebody else..

I knew somebody who'd s say very casually as soon as the conversation would become a bit fluffy, 

.excuse me, I must see X..

.she would say it so naturally that you could not  possibly be offended 

even though you had to find somebody else to talk to.

 I cannot do this if the conversation is not ending naturally.

Praise the Lord for our loved ones and our good friends. Your sister in Christ. N

Have a blessed and happy New Year 2011

 Steven's birthday cake..with 6 candles!

 Verity and Nicky in a very eccentric mood!






Nicky and W.

We are having a very relaxed day with family, my sister Pauline, Dad, my niece Nicky and my great-nephew W. who is great fun. Imogen disappeared last night to spend the evening with her friends, came back today for a short appearance and disappeared again for diner with her friend Lizzie. She has just come back now and is entertaining William. Camille is still in London with her friend Kanika.

After having eaten buffet bites for the last two days, as on the 31st it was Steven's birthday, we enjoyed eating the vicar's best spag bolognaise. Last night we enjoyed watching the fireworks in London on t.v.

In the above photo, from left to right, back row, Dad, Pauline, Verity, Nikki, Wendy and Peter.

Frank and June next to Dad. I must confess that last week I was a bit nervous thinking at all the things to prepare in view of the birthday celebration, I am so pleased that it went smooth. Praise the Lord for all his blessings. "The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3