Now the Jubilee is over it's time for tennis

The French Open at Roland Garros is reaching its climax.
Next week it's the Queens Tennis on grass in west London. The Wimbledon will be next.

This is really exciting for tennis fans.
I've got a great page on Squidoo with photos I've taken, plus tips on how to look like a top tennis player. You do know that if you have the right clothing you'll play better, don't you?

Here's a great picture of one of my favourite Jo Wilfred Tsonga, who is about to take on Novak Djokvic right now in Paris.

Tsonga at Queens June 2011

Borage, lovage and sorrel

Herbs are a hot topic right now, as it's time to plant out your gardens for summer, and now is the best time to plant or sow herbs from scratch.
For those of you not near a good supplier of herbs, you can do mail order. In the USA amazon has a great selection of herbs and plants which you can by clicking through this link for herb plants and seeds I never thought about buying herbs and plants from amazon, though I would always look there for DVDs, Music, books etc. UK readers can also buy herb plants and seeds from Amazon.co.uk through this link.

On Squidoo lots of visitors are enjoying my herb lenses. Lovage and Sorrel are very popular, probably because they are slightly unusual herbs. If you don't grow herbs, then you should think about starting, however little space you have.
To get you started, read 10 Reasons to Grow Herbs, my newest herb lens which won a Purple Star.
I'll be writing more on my garden blog soon. It's been neglected lately. The only blog I've been writing full time is my White Moss House, Grasmere Bed and Breakfast blog. Take a look for all the news about the Jubilee, and what's going on at your favourite Lake District bed and breakfast.

Writing about herbs again.

Given a challenge to write and new lens for Squidoo that would possibly get a purple star and would have a time on the home page, I went for 10 Reasons to grow herbs.

I'm really happy with this webpage. It looks good, and has lots of great ideas and suggestions.

Herbs in a pot at White Moss House Grasmere

One reason is that they look so good. Here's a pot of mine from 2011 of purple leaved basil, dill, busy lizzies and lobelia.  Lots more ideas on 10 reasons to grow herbs

10 reasons to grow herbs.

You really should try growing herbs if you don't already. I've written what I think is a compelling list of 10 reasons why growing herbs is good.It's called 10 Reasons to grow herbs! not surprisingly!

 I wrote this for a special challenge on the Squidoo site. It's won one of Squidoo's top awards, the The Squidoo Purple Star Award - read all about it!

My herb garden is coming on well this spring. Last night we had lovely fresh haddock for supper, and I picked sorrel, fennel and chives, and snipped the herbs over the fish as it was slowly baking in the over ( with a little olive oil and white wine)With fresh herbs it's so easy to make food that little bit more special.

 My favourite book about cooking with herbs is a collaboration between the Queen of herbs, Jekka McVicar, and the Good Old Jamie Oliver, everyone's mate and all round good bloke. UK readers can buy this great book here.

Still going on about Paisley- and on, and on...

Here's the train of thought.
Taking a photo of the antique toilet in our guest house ( owned by William Wordsworth) , I remembered that the wallpaper was a William Morris design.
William Morris embraced the Paisley design in his Orientalism  in the late 19th century. That's when Paisley became a little more Bohemian, and probably is the link to the 1960s hippy love for Paisley.
Find out how to wear Paisley in 2012 ( men too!) here.

Here's the photo that inspired this blog today.

The antique Toilet at White Moss House, Grasmere

Why was I taking a photo of our Twyford's Original Sultan? That's another story.......

Men! How about this great Paisley retro shirt? Really, it's the designer trend for 2012- honest!

Paisley is becoming an obsession.

Having already written about the new Paisley for 2012, I've now written another page all about the best Paisley accessories to buy right now.

I've actually got several Paisley items already in my wardrobe and around the house in the form of cushions. Seems like I'm right on trend without doing a thing- if only!

I didn't know that you could actually buy a Paisley 60s mini dress! Takes me back! I think it's supposed to be fancy dress, but I love it.
Here's one for you to think about- maybe buy?!

I've always loved the Paisley pattern- and now it's in fashion again

I love the curled shapes of the Paisley Pattern. See it here on a poster from allposters of a design from 1871.

Fabric Design for... George Charles... Buy This at Allposters.com

Originally from the East, brought into Europe by the traders of the East India Company in the 17th Century, the paisley pattern got its name when the weavers of Paisley in Scotland started to produce material for shawls on their looms in large quantities in the 19th century. This design for a Paisley was made by George Charles Haite in around 1871.

Paisley is now back in fashion for 2012, with Stella McCartney leading the way. Find out How to wear the new Paisley in 2012 here. Paisley has been seen on A-List Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson in the last few weeks. You can see photos of how they look in the new Paisley here.

Buying one item in Paisley can update your tired old wardrobe to the height of fashion for 2012!