An easter with a difference

 It is Easter but once a year although with two calendar systems in place it can get just a little complicated I guess but having come down by taxi and then train which with all the crazy groan up stuff going on I thought might of been cancelled, I got there thanks to Andi and Miss Green with everything lining up just fine.

Yes it's spring, officially from mid March but with the way Easter works it can be between March and April and there was a high incidence of Bunnies around the house and even outside.

I wasn't the earliest there but one of the earliest so we chatted after getting changed into something that wasn't excessively girlie - I don't do metres of satin and lace personally - and had a drink of tea after depositing my contribution to the buffet and the grumps sweets - yes he contributed something!!!! -  and as time moved on everybody arrived and Burgers were fried complete with onions which having last eaten at half six was very much appreciated.

Things were dotted about if you looked for them such as this pretty display.

The first event of the afternoon after I'd taken slipper socks off for shoes revealing more of the pereline socks was the Egg Hunt where I did find one and things moved toward some games played more for fun in two teams, the Yellows and The Greens.

There was a bunnified form of archery, a down the rabbit hole game rather like croquet, that classic the spoon race and one you had to knock out the cans.

There is apparently a set way to put them all back up ready for the next person but one person got things in an odd combination but eventually got there but then I'm just like that too.

Faces were Bunnified  with whiskers and easter crafts were available for those interested.

The buffet went down well with various pastries featuring pork, chicken and leek, that modern day staple pizza, garlic bread  were on offer joined by home made trifle and raspberry jam sponge cake all of which were most tasty.

We gained a dog this year who delightfully placed himself into activities enjoying cuddles and play apart from adding an extra game to the afternoon.

There was a quiz afterwards which was fun before things moved into conversation around many things like other get togethers for later on in the year, what people had been up to and so on.

That drifted on to two in the morning at which point I put the sheets over the sofa and went sleep waking up later for a bacon sandwich as a few needed to leave early.

The rest of us, as before had decided to visit a local public house for a midday meal together and that included said dog and I opted for a Turkey Roast and Sticky Toffee Pudding with cream, paying my bill using touch card payments on the way out.

Service was exemplary.

After walking back I had a lift to the rail station with another person who had a greater distance to travel catching the direct train to our major station and then getting a Taxi straight off the rank for stimulating conversation to my house.

We'd never done anything like this before, only a halloweenish event but everybody felt it had been a great fun littles event that while people helped out and that you could just enjoy more of child-like easter party that either you had or wished you could of, dressed as you'd of rather of had.

For me, recovering from the loss of a parent and trying to come to terms with changed circumstances, it was a much needed break and first step towards moving on to the more regular things that I feel I do need.

Thanks to our host and the many who helped out in different ways.

Tiny snaps

While I'm away no doubt I'll be busy taking pictures of the different events taking place but where might you learn a bit about photography when you're younger?

You might in GirlGuiding or for Americans Girl Scouts and as odd as it may sound today there was in the 1950's actually an official camera made for units which as was normal for a long time used film and that funny thing with a bulb in it is the flash gun as unlike modern cameras it didn't have built in flash.

By completing a number of photograph assignments you could gain a badge too and some examples from over the years issued to Brownies in the UK are shown below.

Those would be sown on to your uniform, worn with pride.

Easter edition

It is Easter but a little differently because Mom normally would of been in church for easter services and was more the lynch pin of things being as keen on old rituals as I am going back to childhood but obviously that can't happen.

For as many years as I recall doing this blog there was entry around this ritual sometimes featuring the plushies and hand puppets trying to do a Grinch and steal easter but with bit by bit redecorations this year they've been rumbled!

The Grump tm is taking on some of these little roles and so was responsible for getting this years egg tying that in with the groceries with three mini white chocolate bars

He did also pick up this smaller egg with white buttons inside of it but doesn't sadly make a Tux the Penguin but given he managed that without a prompt last week we can give him pat on the back as I munch my way through them today and across the week.

I also had some white Chunkies - a kind of white chocolate crunch bar from an aunt like figure in my life.

Happy Easter!

A new month

Well the month has ended and we enter a new quarter of the year that I very much hope is better than the last as I sit on the couch in our front room working on this weeks entry on is shaping up to be a bright sunny day.

The daffodils and other assorted spring flowers are out and in good shape unlike one bumble bee that had gone to sleep on the sidewalk, looking rather sad for itself and here as in many parts of of the Midlands it is Easter Hols from school.

A good few were spotted yesterday coming home having made their own Easter Bonnets in much the same way I recall doing at my school from reused materials, with quite a creative streak with not just floral designs but easter bunnies too.

Already the gift we all love is out in the shops so I have to see what the Grump comes up with as he's gone shopping and was understood to be looking for one for a little that nearly always had one from Mom.

Anyway time for my flavoured milk now.