Looking back into our families’ past when we researched our family histories we discovered that on my side, the Mollarts, a common thread was that of creativity. We found ancestors who were pottery workers in Stoke including pattern designers and model makers, silk workers and gardeners. We found that one of my pottery ancestors was involved in creating the famous Willow Pattern and one of my gardener ancestors helped with the creation of the Tuilleries in Paris. so it comes as no surprise that our own children, Jamie and Jodie and several of their cousins have creative streaks in them.
Our children are now 39 and 37 years old but we still feel the same sense of pride when they come good. This year has seen important times for both of our offspring.
In April our son Jamie had his first novel published. We attended the launch and book signing in a book store in Leicester, where he now lives. We were proud when we spotted the window display in the local bookstore. We couldn’t wait to get inside to see how Jamie was coping with the anticipation.
He was easy to find. A big piles of new books awaited with lots of bubbly!
The crowds gathered as Jamie prepared to read sections of his book in between being interviewed about writing “The Zoo”.
The book reading began and we felt so nervous for him, but it soon became apparent we didn’t need to be.
It is interesting to see the changing expressions of the interviewer and interviewee!
Book signing followed. Sister, Jodie looked proud of her big brother as he signed her copy of the book, closely followed by more friends and family.
Jude, aka the Undergardener, waited patiently looking proudly on until her turn to have a book signed arrived.
Luckily for Jamie that big pile of books kept getting smaller!
So from that day on Jamie’s “The Zoo” was on sale! We longed to get home and start reading our own signed copies.
In July our daughter, Jodie put on an exhibition of her jewelry work, following courses on working with silver and gold. Her display at Westhope College showed final pieces and all the work it took to prepare for their completion.
We always enjoy studying the plans and sketchbooks of artists and craftspersons at exhibitions. Jodie displayed this aspect of her work well and showed just how important these stages are.
The centre piece of the display was this amazing necklace.
And so it has been a good year for our two and of course for us as well!
greenbenchramblings 
