Catching Up

I've finally got chance to pop in and say hello. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who left comments on the last post. They certainly made me feel that I shouldn't give up blogging and should keep going, even if I can only find time sporadically.




I'm couldn't be accused of being the most prolific blogger and I just haven't felt the inclination, even to read many blogs at the moment.



The weather really has had an effect on me this winter and I really cannot wait to be sat in the garden with a cuppa/glass of wine, listening to the birds singing with a little warmth from the sun on my face. We have been out and about but I've been very naughty and not taken the camera with me. Last weekend saw us take a trip to Ludlow and I loved it despite the bitterly cold wind that chilled our hands and feet and saw my poor little nose glowing red like a beacon. I had a lucky day there and found a lovely green cordurouy skirt for just twelve pounds and a sweet little tin from Emma Bridgewater that has been duly filled with home made shortbread this weekend. Sunday meant a trip to Bridgnorth to collect our newly repaired mantel clock from the antiques centre in High Town and once again I feel comforted having it's regular tick tock accompanying my day, punctuated by its deep, serious chimes on the hour and half hour. My word, it's good to have it back home.



Because I've been lazy and not taken my camera with me everywhere I go, I've not got much in the way of photos to show you today. I hope you don't mind but I've quickly taken some photos of the newly finished kitchen. I'm sorry there's no special styling going on although it is pretty tidy. My promise not to clutter it all up is fading quickly as things creep back in and new acquisitions are discovered, oohed and aaahed over and Mr F saying 'buy it you know you'll regret it if you don't. I'll be a minimalist in my next life!




As you can see, it's still tiny, the aga is still a distant dream and you certainly aint gonna eat Christmas dinner in there



but I'm happy. I have new units and appliances that make me happy to be spending time in there




and I know how lucky I am.





Once again, thank you so much more the wonderful comments on my last post. I hope to begin catching up with everyone soon.

Five Things

How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Once again I've not blogged for ages and am beginning to wonder if I should carry on. Blogging seems to take up so much time and I'm feeling guilty that when I'm blogging I'm not actually acheving anything - cakes don't get baked, floors don't get cleaned, the garden becomes messier. Work is busy, with news of redundancies due to spending cutbacks and more to come next year. We all know the people losing their jobs and feel so sad for them and their families. Next year might mean interviews to keep our jobs - and I'm not hopeful as someone who is very shy and was always told not to show off when I was little, interviews are a difficult thing. Some of us get a little cross when jobs are given to people we know are lazy or who just don't bother turning up for work when it suits. Oh dear! I bet you've all switched off after all that moaning - my blog is supposed to be like Eeyore's gloomy place - except it is my happy place. I fully intended today just to post up an award and to pass it on to 5 lovley ladies and instead I'm feeling sorry for myself. Time to cheer up I think!

Just before Christmas, Jo at JoJo Designs gave me this award. The condition of accepting the award is to list 5 things I like doing and then pass the award on to 5 other people. So here goes.

1. Shopping
Like most women, I adore shopping. Not that horrible boring weekly walk around Sainsbury's or that dash into town to queue at the bank or to pick up half the stock from the floor at Primark. No. certainly not. I mean this sort of shopping

beautiful things, beautifully presented and inspirational ideas that lift your spirit and put that gorgeousness into your home or garden. I also like this sort of shopping


Finding loveliness to bring home and treasure. Finding that little thing someone no longer wants that feels me with such excitement.

2.Holidaying in Cornwall.
My beloved Cornwall.
Sometimes the weather lets us down

but the people and the spectacular scenery are constantly wonderful.

3.Cross Stitch
Something else I've loved doing - yet this last 12 months I lost the mojo.


4. Baking

I love baking. Cakes never look particularly pretty but they never stay around long enough to be admired.

5. Getting Out and About.
Whether it be with friends or family, I love to get out and about. I love walking along the local canal


visiting churches

National Trust houses and gardens


and just taking time to enjoy the countryside.

I'm going to pass this award onto the ladies at the following blogs.

A Mermaid's Purse
Andi's English Attic
Kids and Capers
Tapestries of Nature
The Vintage Bothy.

Necessary Things

This week has seen young Master Funky do a total of three hours at school. The rest of the week has been spent sledging, sliding on the ice, having snowball fights. All of which I am certain are far more dangerous than walking up the hill (or slight incline) to school. I'm sure I went to school in the snow, but then, that was in nineteen hundred and frozen to death! Maybe I'm getting old and grumpy or maybe it's just this snow and ice. There are certain things I need during this cold weather that I really need to make it bearable. Of course we all need wellies


glamorous aren't they? But some funky welly socks does make wearing them a bit more fun.




I'm also certain that this scarf is snugglier because it's funky and silly.




A cosy bed, with crisp bedlinen is a must.



As are colourful warm blankets.




Skin needs some special treats




and a mug of G&B hot chocolate is made more delicious with the addition of glorious pink and white marshmallows


once I've chosen from a selection of favourite mugs.




A good selection of magazines is sure to give me that feel good factor with elevenses.



As will a teetering pile of books for the afternoon (unless there's a good play on the radio).




Of course, you do need that special place to sit and read.




There are also those times when you really need a cosy, snuggly dvd, with costume, romance, nostalgia... or just simply Richard Armitage.




I'd love to know what you do to keep going through this really awful cold snap. I'm off for lunch in front of a roaring fire now before I prepare a beef in ale casserole for tea. I'm at work tomorrow, so it looks like a slippery, slidy walk to the railway station for me. Have a good, warm and safe weekend everyone.

Nearly There

Whilst shopping at the weekend I was pleased to see someone entering into the Christmas spirit! How are your preparations going? We're almost there, just the fresh food to buy on Christmas Eve. Hopefully, we'll be up and about early enough to get to Bridgnorth's bustling market and to indulge in a good hearty breakfast here as well. I've got my damson gin bottled ready to warm us on these cold winter evenings. Well actually, it's already been started and it's yummy, yummy yummy. Just the stuff needed to make watching Cranford on a Sunday evening even more enjoyable.



Most of the decorations are up.








Although I always leave some decorating for Christmas Eve because we have an abundance of ivy in the garden which just has to be one of the best things to bring into the house at this time of year.



New, snuggly Christmas pyjamas are ready



and I've been searching through these lovely books that Mr F surprised me with earlier this month.



Mr F. gave me another surprise at the weekend with a trip to see Wightwick Manor decorated for Christmas. I've been to this house at all times of year and it never fails to have the tingle factor. If I do ever win the lottery I will make the NT an offer they cannot refuse and move in to enjoy its Pre-raphaelite paintings and its William Morris decor - I'd be in Funky heaven!








We strolled around its magnicent rooms decorated in Christmas finery as we listened to the carol singers in the great hall. Their music followed us throughout the rooms and up to the minstrels gallery and even into the bedrooms leading off the landing. Everything looked wonderful with its natural Christmas greenery, flowers and candles - no balding tinsel here! I only wish that I could
have videoed the visit to share with you the atmosphere of my favourite place. You are not allowed to take photos of the interiors but Mr F. took one from the outside looking in. It's not brilliant but does give a little taste of its beauty, along with the painting of Janey Morris by Rossetti.


Sadly, they said I couldn't spend Christmas there, so I'll carry on with my preparations here in the Funkyhouse. Have a good Christmas ladies - don't work too hard, make sure you enjoy it.