gathering on the green

let the festivals begin

The first Saturday in June is always a little festival called Gathering on the Green. In the village where I live there is a big, beautiful green space and every year for the last 28, this festival has taken place here.  Local artists and crafts people come out to sell their handmade treasures. There is crappy food, (hotdogs, snowcones and pop) and local live music. Last year there were animals, but we didn’t see them this time.

Beah's glittery "henna" butterfly

We attended this year with good friends. It was nice. Nadine and I slowly (according to Fred) browsed while our husbands minded the children. It was great to be able to check stuff out. Usually Fred and I are chasing Isaac around and nothing gets admired. This year…I admired a lot, and even came home with some goodies. Would you like to see? Right then, let’s have a look.

"girl with birds"

I picked up this beautiful hand painted table cloth. I fell in love with the colours and the image. I’m not sure I’ll use it as a table cloth because with a little boy who often ends up with more food around him, than in him, I’m afraid it won’t last. And I love it so. It deserves the perfect spot – maybe a cover to the perfect bedside table that I’ve yet to find. Or a pretty curtain. Our windows are all too big but I think it would look so stunning as a window covering. Hmmm.

my new favourite bowl

I also picked up this beautiful piece of pottery. There were a couple potters their selling their seconds for dirt cheap. Having done pottery myself, I know how much these sorts of things normally go for and so to pick up a $60 bowl for a mere $20 simply due to inconsistent glazing…was a steal. I LOVE it.

ceramic turtle

And I got this sweet little turtle, handmade my a little one. Isn’t it lovely? I think she did a great job and I’ll cherish it always.

The London Horticultural Society was there as they are every year and while I didn’t find much I wanted this year, I did decide to buy a tomato plant. They were so big and beautiful, unlike the 60 little ones I sowed from seed, I couldn’t refuse. Besides, it was a variety I haven’t grown before – Bonny’s Best. I’ve added it to the 20 I have growing in my garden. One can never have too many tomatoes.

tomatoes

Isaac didn’t last long. He can’t take too much sensory stuff otherwise he kind of loses it. So, after about an hour and a half he was done, and we were leaving. But not before he had a hotdog. A rare treat, but one he thoroughly enjoys. I swore my kid would NEVER eat that crap and he almost never does, but it’s hard to deny him the things that make him so happy. That’s my job as his mama, to make him happy. If a hotdog now and then is part of that…I’m all in. Seeing that sweet face covered in ketchup and mustard in turn makes ME smile.

messy face

All in all it was a great time. We came back to our house and the kids jumped on the trampoline. I pawned some old potatoes off on Nadine so that she could give potato growing a go. Easy, peasy.

I hope your weekend has also provided you with good times and great friends and gentle reminders of why your life is so incredible.

Love to you all,

Debbie