Who lives in a house like this?

I remember Loyd Grosman asking that familiar question in each episode of "Through the Keyhole" whilst snooping around some celebrity or other's pad. Now if I showed you these images what conclusion might you draw?

I expect it will come as no great surprise to find it's called "Gargoyles" and is to be found in the small Sussex village of Bury. The official line is that it was once the home of a stonemason who mounted the carvings to show off his work. However, when we ran into a villager she said that the word on the street is that they were stolen from nearby Arundel Castle. Which version do you prefer?! Personally I might not mind living in a house like this!

Arilx

The colour purple.

We had friends over for dinner on Saturday, so we decided to branch out and try a new dessert recipe. This is what we were aiming for with our ginger and blueberry cheesecake.

However, we decided to forgo the martini glasses [that'll be because we don't have any for starters] and make it in a single dish. Then the blueberry jam chose not to play ball...it wasn't swirling and twirling for anyone matey......this was our version.

An exact copy I'm sure you'll agree! It was worth the rather startling shade of violet just to see the brief look of surprise pass across our guests' faces as Mr GBT brought it through. Glad to say it tasted lovely and people had seconds. It's certainly the first time I've ever eaten a purple pud and I dare say it won't be my last.

Arilx

Gorilla Snot

Yes you read that 'orrible blog title correctly. Apparently it's a thing people buy to stop plastic plectrums slipping while playing instruments amongst other uses. That's what comes of being married to a mandolin player! If you don't believe me here's the proof😄

Thankfully it's tree resin so no gorillas were harmed in the making of this product! You can't say I don't bring you variety folks and on the low note hope you all have a good weekend!

Arilx

Organ donation

Our family carry donor cards and TYM [without letting us know] signed up for one of his own accord on his birthday a couple of years ago.

Arilx

Snap

Mr GBT took this shot a few weeks ago and I couldn't help but think that it rather put me in mind of an elephant's foot. Looking it up I was not entirely surprised to find it is already named "Elephant Foot Fungus"!

Arilx

Whimsical, comical and poignant.

Am still reading more than in previous years...there's nothing like being in a reading group for me to keep at it, but I don't comment on many of the tomes I finish. However, these two had a lightness of spirit about them whilst being able to convey great moments of tenderness and sadness with a healthy dose of irreverent humour. Fannie Flagg wrote "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe" which remains my favourite film.

Arilx

A ribbon around a bomb.

[Image from pixabay]

"A ribbon around a bomb" was how the iconic artist Frida Kahlo was described at the recent exhibition about her life and work which I attended with Lovely Grey at the V&A. I knew little of her beyond that she was a Mexican artist and renown for her style. She was always to be found dressed to the nines and it was said that you tell a lot about her state of mind from the way she had braided her hair and what she had chosen to accessorise it with.

There were many of her glorious outfits on display [no photos allowed unfortunately] resplendent with paint stains and cigarette burns....so she really did practise what she preached and never dressed down whatever the circumstances. What came across so strongly was that she had had more than her fair share of tragedy....the birds of paradise coloured palette she was drawing from and the elegant layers covered the body brace she had to wear at all times [she had suffered terrible injuries in a bus accident as a teenager] and her built up shoes from her polio as a child. Sadly she contracted gangrene in her leg and she died within a year of having it amputated.

As Frida was one for her stunning clothes I'll link it up with some of the beautiful costumes from the museum's Textiles and Fashion Collection. I wonder if she would have approved of any of them? This really is a bit of trot through the contents of the cabinets!

The one below is a tea dress. I love the detailing on the back. It puts me in mind of a humbug.

How liberating it must have been for women as they were able to wear shorter length skirts and even trousers after The Great War. The proof that fashion goes round and round is seen with the rather modern looking pair of platforms. They actually date from 1937.

I haven't shared any photos from the 1940s because they were very plain and rather dowdy as was to be expected in times of rationing and utility clothing. The 1950s ushered in a decade of exuberance and colour. Am always a sucker for a bit of bling.

I remember my Mum having a maternity dress in this lime green and turquoise combination from the 1960s. She used it as a painting smock thereafter.

More platform soles and clothes reminiscent of my 1970s childhood.

Again I've missed out the 1980s. Having worn the originals the first time round they rather make me wince. Am not a fan....only have to watch the reruns of Top of the Pops to be reminded of some of the horrors I wore!! So bringing us bang up to date....more platforms and a rather fun 1960s style dress, but a modern interpretation. If you enlarge it you can see that the fabric design is rather natty.

Phew got there in the end!

Arilx