Sunday was hot and Monday rumored to be cooling down so The Spouse took the day off of work and we spent our time outside, reveling (kidless) in the gorgeous 70 (ish) degree weather. It was the last day of true summer in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We ate lunch by the palm trees and negotiated with a wily seagull as to how much of our toasty sandwhich bread would end up in her beak (not much). She wanted to share in the chocolate cake, too (not a chance).

We watched the speed and sail boats go by and were happy for a nearby fisherman who caught himself a lovely fish which he flapped around for far longer than needful so the passersby could all get a good glimpse of his good fortune.

It is dry and somewhat colorless in California this time of year--the sun has bleached everything out.

The local church. Out of respect, I waited until all the attendees to a funeral had dispersed before snapping this shot.

Morning Glory and Bouganvellia, a photo that would have turned out better if I hadn't snapped it from inside the car, leaning over my husband's lap. It was a dirty job but someone had to do it.

Doesn't the pathway down the sidewalk look so inviting? It surely was.

Goodbye summer. You'll be missed.

(If you have blogged about Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind and don't see a link to it in my sidebar, please email me at write2me@heidiashworth.com or my other email address with the link so I can include it. Thanks SO much!)

Once upon a time (ten years ago, give or take a few weeks) I was in England, home of my ancestors, hopes and dreams (and Miss Delacourt and Sir Anthony who were, at the time, living in the proverbial drawer set aside for listless manuscripts).

I love the reflection of the spire in the window on the front of Byron's house, Newstead Abbey

This year, as a way to celebrate and immerse myself in the atmosphere of Jolly Old, I decided to scan some of my favorite photos (I didn't go digital for several years later), crop them in interesting ways (no? well, interesting to me, anyway) and change them to black and white (not sure why they call it that when it ends up being mostly gray). You can find, if the spirit so moves you, most of the full color originals at http://www.heidiashworth.com/

The terrace at Powys Castle, Powis, Wales

The back garden wall at Powys

Newstead Abbey near Nottingham, one-time home of George, Lord Byron

What's left of the chapel at Newstead after Henry the 8th got done with it. Note the empty statue niches--religious icons smacked of popery so Henry, the father of the Protestant church, sent his soldiers to smash them. The one at the top of the chapel wall at Newstead was just too high.

My favorite building at Newstead--the stables. This is where they parked the horses. Priorities and all that rot . . .

The same shot in color because I wanted to.

The back of Newstead Abbey. In this picture, it looks very Dickensian but, believe me you, when you are wandering around there under a drizzly sky, it's pure Austen. We got there the day before it was closed for the season and I have thanked my lucky stars ever since.

A window embrasure at Warwick Castle in Warwick (the second w is silent, doncha know). I included this photo simply b/c I relish the idea of using the word "embrasure" though I am sure I must have used it in Miss Delcourt Speaks Her Mind somewhere which just goes to show how much I like it.

The house across the River Dee from where we sat eating our lunch (al fresco) in Chester on a gorgeous sunny-yet-crisp September day. Ah, to be in England! . . .

Part of Rowton Castle where my parents spent their 50th wedding anniversary

A window on the street outside Chester cathedral

A window at Charlecote Chapel

Charlecote cemetary

A romantic tombstone at Charlecote (I love cemetaries, always have, always will)

A restaurant down the street from where my parents lived (for 18 months) in Stoke-on-Trent. I like the regency-ness of it, being called Bonapartes, an' all . . .

The back of the house at Biddulph Gardens, a most glorious place to visit in late summer.

St. Mary's cathedral in Warwick which contains the Beauchamp (pronounced--in England, that is--Beechum) tower which is my ancestor, and, incidentally, the maiden name of a twice married favorite novel heroine (which means, if she were real, we would be related).
(Alas, she is fictional but it took my meeting her creator before it really sank in . . .)

One day, I will go back to England. I might even visit more of London than the tarmac at Heathrow while I'm at it.

(See my sidebar for fun eBay auctions, including a size 12 American Girls Pleasant Co. Molly Christmas Dress for your own little girl.)

Behold, the chair in question . . (boring!) (and ugly!)

See the lovely little sander? I highly recommend using one if you are going to paint (painting is a good idea--using Ballet Slipper Pink by Krylon is an even better idea, tho you might want to use something a little more nuetral so you can make different covers for the holidays).

Those of you who sew will have no problem figuring out how to do this. Those of you who don't (like me) can fudge it (like I did). The bottom piece is just one layer with a ruffle around it--it sits there looking pretty like a well-trained, proper Victorian Miss is wont to do. If desired, one can add ribbon to tie it securely at the legs in the back (the seat cover, not the proper Victorian Miss). Or, you can make a case for filling so that it's more comfy. This chair is mostly forced into service as a step stool and used to do a lot of hanging around looking ugly during its off hours. Now, when busy loafing, it at least earns its keep as an object of beauty.

Next . . .photos of my ten-years-ago-Ah-to-be-in-England! trip across the pond . . .

Whilst The Spouse was doing Back to School Night and I was playing amateur psychologist for the Big Guy (what do you say when your kid announces he wants to bury a vial of his blood in the backyard as proof that he existed or asks “Can I be buried next to you and Dad?”?) (Really! I need to know!) AND the Middle Child (four days into the new school year and she is devastated that she is being boxed in with the “nerdy” freshmen when CLEARLY she is one of the cool people) (a more common conundrum but one that defies response as much as the Big Guy’s) the Little Guy was creating a feast for me.

He took me by the hand and led me to the backyard to my “flower bower” where I sometimes have breakfast or lunch.

Oh, how I love this boy! Still, this would have been tastier . . .

Meanwhile, this fabric is up for sale HERE. Again. (To answer Megz question, I bought acres of this stuff and this is what is left over after making curtains and pillows, etc. etc. etc. but thank you for the compliment!)

In case anyone was wondering or feeling snubbed, I’m still not really blogging BUT I’m getting closer. I think. Meanwhile, miss you all muchly!
Coming soon . . . how to make something brilliant out of a boring metal folding chair