Pretties

I feel as though I've spent this last week in darkness. I live in a small terraced house with little natural light. The weather this last week has been so incredibly dull and dark, and full of that chillingly wet coldness that seeps through to your bones, and drains energy out of you. I would have loved to have spent some time in the garden over half term but the wet and cold have put paid to that idea. If it had been autumn, I would have been content to cosy in, switch the lights on and turn the heating up. But now, like the plants in the garden I need light to thrive, and perhaps a little warmth from a watery sun would give me a little boost. Instead today, I've had to search the house to find some prettiness and colour to chase away the depressing effects of the darkness and to be honest it has helped. For instance, I've unpacked my new cushion yet again. From February 2011 It's so very pretty, with bright, springtime colours that instantly lift my mood. From February 2011 I pack it away again carefully and resist the temptation to display it....that's for when the bedroom is decorated and is once again a clean tidy space I can be proud of. From February 2011 Next, I open the wardrobe and pull out my latest puchases. Two floral shirts from good old Sainsbury's and a little cardigan covered in the prettiest of pink roses. I begin to feel a little chirpier as I put it on and the delicate pinks add a little colour to my pale features. Once again in the kitchen I see colour and prettiness in the most mundane of things. Yes, even a tea towel can be cheery. From February 2011 Cupcake cases can be pretty and cheerful too. From February 2011 And the pattern on one of my favourite jugs lifts my spirits. From February 2011 A cup of coffee later and I'm beginning to feel better. I decide to brave the damp and venture into the garden and am glad I do. Just look, a pretty, colourful sign of things to come. From February 2011

Going With the Flow

From February 2011

There's nothing for it this week but to go with the flow. I've got the week off work and things I'd like to do. I'd like to get these colourful polys planted up into their lovely wicker basket but as you can see it's very wet. I don't garden in the wet. In the cold yes, but wet, no. But they'll wait until another day.

From February 2011

Teenage Boy went out of the house early this morning to do his paper round. 'Is it o.k if my mate comes around early this morning?' he asks absently. 'Yeh o.k' is my reply, thinking that the friend in question is not known for being an early riser and would probably turn up at about ten o'clock. No, he arrives at 8.20am, before Teenage Boy is back home from delivering newspapers. Good job I didn't decide to have a lie in then.LOL. Luckily, Teenage Boy's friend is a nice young man and can make himself at home. When Teenage Boy is breakfasted I think maybe it would be a good idea to clean the bathroom, so I begin industriously cleaning the bath, the basin etc when Teenage Boy appears and says 'I need a shower now'. All my work undone, yet again. Perhaps I won't do any cleaning today then. Good decision - as other friends arrive leaving their muddy trainers in various locations in the house....as well as a trail of mud. I give up, find my lovely Nigel Slater book

From February 2011

and bake a coffee and walnut cake instead. It's not complete until Teenage Boy and teenage boys have left the house, so it will last longer than a couple of hours and I can hide it until Mr. F. gets home.

From February 2011

So, this afternoon, I'm not going to try and acheive anything. I'll finish that bar of posh chocolate I was given for Valentine's Day.

From February 2011

Enjoy a nice cup of tea.

From February 2011

Watch one of the dvds I was given at Christmas.

From February 2011

Or I just might listen to some lovely music.

From February 2011

Whilst I catch up on some reading

From February 2011

Not forgetting that chocolate.

I'd love to know how you cope with half term. Do you battle on as usual or give in and go with the flow?

Help!

Now I'm a girl that tends to go overboard a bit. When I like something, I like it a lot. It tends to become something of an obsession. And I'll admit it, I do have a bit of a 'thing' for ceramic jugs.I collect them. I collect a lot of them. Over the years I've probably collected somewhere between 30 and 40 of them. Old, new, patterned and plain, large, small and some incredibly tiny. There's no method in my madness. I don't buy just from one range. Bridgewater, Nicholas Mosse, Brixton Pottery - I'll have 'em all! I am a woman without control! You might think that today I might be showing you some of my collection. Oh no ladies - I need your help. Mr F. bought me this jug a couple of years ago from a shop in Bishops Castle. It is my very favourite and I would love to buy some more of these gorgeous ceramics. But the shop in Bishops Castle has closed and I don't now where I can buy more.

There is no pottery logo, just a very discreet bell stamped on the base. Everywhere we visit I look out for this lovely, individual range. I've spent hours on the internet looking for a website or supplier without success.

Have you ever seen any? Do you know the maker? Please let me know if you have.

Not that I need any more jugs.

I'd love to know what you can't resist buying and don't forget let me know if you know where I can buy any of this wonderful range

Lovely Leominster

New Years Eve and the first opportunity we have had in weeks to get out and about. There's no snow to hamper us any longer and pretty though it was I'm heartily glad to see the back of it. The rush and responsibilities of Christmas are over and normal life can begin again.

Teenage Boy decided that friends and the local park were much more exciting, so we were free to have a day out without any grumps or groans or 'can we go home now' uttered every five minutes. Mr F. suggested a trip to Leominster. How I love this place. Full of antiques and shops selling vintage it's just the sort of place I love running riot in. Shop fronts are genteel Georgian affairs





and shop windows are filled with goodies that entice me inside followed by a very patient OH. Generally, it's not an expensive place either and wonderful things can be found for pocket money.


One of my faves is The Blue Door, full of vintage and new items that would sit so nicely in my home


and the rambling Zani's with room after room full of such lusciousness I don't know where to look first.


These were my acquisitions from Zani's yesterday. An old metal sign to be fixed to the garden wall


and some gorgeously coloured threads that will be displayed at a later date.



Oh the excitement! Of course everyone has to visit Utter Clutter. But do go on a diet before your visit - space is VERY tight!




By contrast Minster House rambles upstairs and downstairs, into the cellar and out into the garden and has things for sale from a couple of quid into the hundreds.....something for everyone. There's even a roaring open fire in the winter. If only they served tea.




Nevermind, we were able to visit Barber and Manuel for tea and the BEST chocolate brownies ever

sat in front of a fireplace still decorated with Christmas stockings made from vintage fabrics. Oh! I'm so glad to be out and about and back to normal.



Happy New Year everyone.

Ready

Today I finally feel as though Christmas is real. I finished work yesterday evening and was glad to do so. There was no heating in the building for five days running and we were all perished, the chief of all our branches visited and never even thanked us for putting up with the conditions. It was a cold, long journey on the train to get home to a warm home and warm hearts.

Today feels positive. The jewelled colours of Christmas chocolate immediately cheers me up and yes, I've pinched one. But don't tell my teenage boy - he's been told not to touch until Christmas Eve. I know he's not touched them.......there would be a tell-tale trail of discarded wrappers glistening and glinting all over the house.

Christmas is certainly on the way and I feel ready after a few final touches to here and there. Baubles popped underneath a domed cake stand should look o.k. as a table centre for Christmas Day I think?





And there's a wreath on the kitchen door as a welcome



Presents are wrapped and ready under the tree.



The Teenager has gone out to meet friends and I'm going to enjoy these last few quiet hours before the hustle and bustle of Christmas really begins. I may even watch a film this afternoon.....I might even pinch a few more of those chocolates. Would you like one? Help yourself.


The snow has really only affected us badly since Saturday when its heavy, silent downfall filled the skies and streets and quietened the normal sounds of the day replacing them with the thuds of snowballs landing and children shouting and laughing as the snow hit its target. You've all probably seen enough snowy pictures to last you until the summer but we enjoyed such a wonderful afternoon walk at the weekend around our town that I just wanted to share a few with
you if you don't mind. Down our street




to the local park





and a walk around the frozen pond






through the town and past beautiful St Thomas's church.





As the light faded, we walked home along the canal, past the Bonded Warehouse, still busy with families queueing for narrowboat trips to see Santa




passing a few narrowboats along the way. It was dark by the time we reached home and we were ready for that warming cup of tea.



Have a great Christmas everyone. Stay warm and safe annd enjoy the snow. Let me know what you're up to.

Unexpected Snowfall

I've been listening to the radio this morning. Presenters are taking phone calls from from people who have seen upto 14 inches of snow. Well, it's bloomin cold here in the West Midlands and I'm not particularly fond of snow but I am beginning to feel left out now. Don't get me wrong, if I'm snowed in tomorrow and can't get to the hairdresser I'll be mightily displeased but today, when I don't have to go out particularly, well perhaps a litle of the white stuff might be quite nice. I bought the jigsaw last weekend intending to keep it until Christmas as a little something to do inbetween all that eating. However, it is proving difficult to resist and as I no longer have Downton abbey or The Pilllars of the Earth to keep me out of trouble... well I might just have to unwrap it.




I have walked into town this morning and for once the charity shops came up trumps and I found this beautiful tablecloth. I love its cheerfully embroidered flowers, just right to brighten up a day of leaden skies. I also found this bright jingly jangly heart that does sound very like the bells on Santa's sleigh. I was extremely norty because I couldn't resist this little red heart either.




I thought you might like to meet our new pets. They came all the way from Ikea and will go on the Christmas tree eventually. At the moment though they do like exploring the house and keep popping up all over the place. Today, they're in the kitchen having agood old nose around. Thankfully, they've not discovered the biscuit tin yet.



Well, I think it's the kind of afternoon to spend with a pot of tea



in front of a snuggly, cosy fire.


I bought this for Christmas too. Do you think I would be very very norty if I opened it now?

Have a great weekend, I'd love to know what you're up to.