Remembrance

On Friday while in Devon we visited RHS Rosemoor.  It was a bit of a grey day, although we avoided the worst of the weather. One of the first things we saw was this commemorative display.

The sculpture of the life sized ‘Unknown Soldier’  is by Devon artist George Hilder, is surrounded by ceramic poppies by South West artist Renée Kilburn. There’s a hundred of these poppies throughput the garden to commemorate all those who fell and to celebrate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Together, they are poignantly beautiful. 

Post Comment Love and Blogger Showcase 9-11 November

Hello there and welcome to this week’s #PoCoLo a friendly linky where you can link any post published in the last week. If you were here last week, it was great to see you and if you’re new here this week, then you’re very welcome. Both Morgan and I know you’ll find some great posts to read, and encourage you to pop over to some of the posts linked and take the time to leave a comment or two so that everyone benefits from some extra love.

We spent last weekend in Norfolk and on our return to London it was noticeable how much the leaves had changed to a rusty yellow and walking through Greenwich Park to work has really reminded me that I have the best commute. And then for two days this week I’ve been on the train up to Victoria for a conference, and I’ve been reminded again how odd commuting can be, and how glad I am I don’t need to do that every day.

My photo this week is one of the ones I’ve taken while walking through Greenwich Park, and you can see just how colourful the whole park is right now, and how uplifting that is.

Blogger Showcase: Jenna from Glitz and GlaMOM

1 Who are you?

I am Jenna Ricciardi, the founder of Glitz & GlaMOM, my personal blog & website. I love writing about the things I love most: being a mother, fashion & beauty! I am also the founder of NJ MAMApreneur Networking, a free networking group to help mama’s network & advertise their businesses. I am married to my hubby for 8 years, together 12, & we have 2 daughters! I am originally from Brooklyn, NY but now live in the NJ suburbs. 

2 How did you discover blogs/blogging?

I discovered blogging through NJ MAMAprenuer Networking as well as in my personal life. I always take my kids to new & exciting places/experiences. Many friends had started telling me to start a blog as a way to turn this into something more, something to remember! I started brainstorming, learning, & then finally developed Glitz & GlaMOM. 

3 Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging so that I can do something I love, and write about the things I love doing. I wanted to be with my kids, but also work & contribute. Blogging is a great way for me to be fully present with my kids, but also do something for myself at the same time.

4 What do you find most challenging?

The most challenging part of this experience is finding my audience. It is something I am still working on and learning.

5 What is your favourite topic to write about?

My favourite topic to write about it is fun experiences that we have as a family. Making memories for my girls is the most important thing I can do.

6 Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

I am blogging with goals in mind. I want to turn my website into a brand & something bigger.

7 Have you ever attended a blogging conference

I have not yet but I plan to attend BlogHer next year!

8 What are your 3 best posts?

My 3 best posts were about Land of Oz, The Dream Machine & Candytopia. All really fun experiences.

9 Describe yourself in three words!

Determined, ambitious, intelligent.

10 Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Coffee (iced only please) & cake. 

11 What's your idea of a perfect night out?

My perfect night out is dinner by the Jersey Shore, and then Jenkinson’s Amusement Park with my family. 

12 Your perfect night in?

My perfect night in is ordering dinner (Chinese food please) & watching a movie with my fam.

13 What would your best friend/OH/mum or kids say is your best quality?

They would say that I am a very involved, loving, dedicated mother and they can see how much I try to give my kids the best, happiest, life!

Don’t forget to stop by Jenna’s social channels: Facebook - Instagram - Twitter - Pinterest

An InLinkz Link-up

Oil and vinegar

Or as my new bottles say Olio and Acete, a recent purchase as a momento from our break in Italy along with a new butter dish. And not surprisingly I’m embracing the yellow, so where better to photograph them than on the dresser in a particularly yellow spot.   

We often bring something home from holiday to remind us of our trip, and quite often it’s something that catches our eye, rather than something that’s planned. But it’s always something we’ll use, or have a use for. 

On this trip it was very nearly a decorative plate that I fell for on our visits to the local town of Todi. In the maze of a town, or our circuitous route around it anyway, even I was surprised I managed to find the shop again on our second visit. But of course I managed to.  

After some longing and oohing over the ceramics, we asked the price and tried not to look too shocked. It was pricier than we expected, and I wasn’t sure if it would fit where I had in mind at home, let alone in our hand luggage. So with a last look we walked away, but even MOH was getting smitten and said to buy it if you want it.  

But I resisted, as I really wasn’t sure on the size. Although a new plan was forming, so back we headed to the shop again.  Only this time it was our final purchases that I had in mind.  

We’d seen many sets as we perused the shops in town, but none this colour and none squished like this so they nestled together. Clever, huh?

And then came the breakthrough.  We needed a new butter dish.  Yes, needed. (The glaze on ours has gone and butter seeps through the pottery and leaves a greasy mess on our kitchen worktop - so I mean needed).

But, I didn’t want to be without one. I’m a butter fan, and don’t like it fridge cold and so our butter is out and at room temperature year-round.  So when the butter dish hd been decided on too, and I’d agreed to get rid of the old one, MOH couldn’t quite believe his ears. He’d proffered replacement butter dishes over the years, but all had been rejected. Until now. 

And it was worth the wait. It’s quickly replaced the seeping dish in my affections, but sssh! don’t tell MOH, I think I’m only going to crock** half of the dish, as I realised the top half would make a great cover for cheese...

** and yes, to crock - that’s a verb, to break crockery to use as drainage “crocks” in plant pots. A great way to use old crockery as it’s satisfying to smash (as long as you look out for flying pieces) and when you next empty your pot, you never quite know what memory you will quite literally unearth!