Ashley

It was a weekday but with this glorious late september weather and everyone at home a family trip was on the cards. We decided to go to Butterfly World for the afternoon, only a ten minute drive from where we live. The final Phase and main structure, the Biome, has yet to be built but don't let that put you off going there's still lots to see and do especially for children.

I have a soft spot for 'soft' sculptures, the kind made popular by the American artist Claes Oldenburg, it's the mixture of art, fabric and crafts I like. Claes Oldenburg's sculptures confuse our expectations of how ordinary objects should “behave.” Using ordinary, everyday items, he developed “soft” sculptures using pliable materials such as canvas and vinyl to create flaccid objects. I've included some photos of his work below, the light Switch, French Fries and Ketchup and Soft Toilet.

We have had a couple of family weeks and the weather has been kind. A few days in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire visiting relatives in particular celebrating my nephews 18th Birthday. Alice went to Egypt for a week, enjoyed it but it was somewhat marred by having her ipod and money stolen as well as prickly heat. Bobbin has been given a spring hair cut, like a shorn sheep, she looks very cute though!

We had a hectic weekend in Yorkshire, with family, celebrating Steve's mum's 80th birthday. The surprise celebrations started with a family meal at the Mill House restaurant, Skidby Mill. We calculated It's the first time in about 15 years that all eleven of us had sat down to a meal together, how that time flies! We couldn't stay long because Alice had to get back to University.

We had a lovely family Easter, both the children were home plus Bobbin (dog). Alice and I baked, knitted, crocheted, made organza flowers and shopped, a bit of mum and daughter bonding. This is the recipe for the Banana Cake we made for Easter, this recipe is great if you want to use up very ripe bananas. For the topping we melted chocolate then decorated it with chocolate animals and Maltesers.

BANANA CAKE

Before Ashley went to New York he said he wanted to get a photo of himself in Urban Outfitters, holding one of our iPod Hoodies, he can now tick that off his list! It's surreal to think that an idea we started from our kitchen table is now being sold in Urban Outfitters New York.

Look out America, Ashley and Faye are coming! They are off on a road trip, New York to Texas in two months, they fly out on Saturday. If anyone knows of places of interest in New York, other than well known ones, let me know.

It's a milestone, I can't believe my baby is 25, that can't be right, where did those years go? Ash was born this day in London at Queen Charlotte's hospital Hammersmith. Although the first few months were a shock to the system, a combination of colic and my freedom being taken away by a little dictator! I can honestly say the past 25 years have been interesting and most of all fun! Happy Birthday Ash.

Ashley was invited to the Institute of Directors conference today, held at the Albert Hall. The conference had lots of inspirational speakers but what really impressed Ash was the packed lunch they were given, I'm impressed too!