American Robin

A little winter snack on a snowy day.

Christy

Thinking of Spring?

I must be thinking of Spring.  Bright green pillow cases, and blossoms along with chicks.  Just a few things I picked up at the Thrift.  Along with a very light weight leather bag; which I hope to use for service.

Christy

Dust If Your Must

Dust if You Must.

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better
To paint a picture, or write a letter,
Bake a cake, or plant a seed;
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim, and mountains to climb;
Music to hear, and books to read;
Friends to cherish, and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, and the wind in your hair;
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go (and go you must)
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Written by Rose Milligan.

Persephone

I was thrilled to receive a package with a London postmark.  At first I couldn't think what it was, then I saw it was from Persephone.  Since I have not actually bought anything from them, I thought they had stopped sending them to me, so I was happily surprised.  Tore it open; which is not me I'm a knife letter opener and started thumbing through.

The photos are so great and the writing thought provoking.  One day I will go and visit the store when in London.  Along with Foyle's bookstore.

Just posted a few photos to show you what I mean.

Christy

Woke Up To Snow

Our second snow of the winter.  The first was in October and it wasn't even officially winter.

I came home last night after thrifting; which I wasn't going to do, but being on my own and at a loose end I decided I would.  Capping my expenditure.  When I walked in the house it was 50f downstairs; which means upstairs it was even colder.  I came in and got the fire going and it heated up 10 degrees, of course warmer right by the fire.  This morning I came down and it was 58f in the dining room, colder upstairs, so I decided to break down and turn the central heating on.  Joy of joys to bask in heat.  At least with the old cast iron radiators they radiate heat for a long time after, I will turn it right down again, but at least the house is warmed up.  Plus we are in all day and can benefit from it.

It is overcast with the snow, so not bright and sunny.  My crazy thorn bush by my kitchen window has gone on the rampage and totally needs cutting back.  The thorns are nasty.  The birds love that bush though and are always roosting in there.  Do only roosters roost?  In any case you know what I mean.

One of my big galvanised pots has slid off the bricks it was on and is leaning at a crazy angle, but I've just left it, too cold to bother wrestling with it. You can just see it behind the other pot in one of my phtotographs.  Rob is out shoveling, later this afternoon he has work.

I've had my morning cuppa, but I think I'm ready for another one and some toast.  Need to push myself into gear.

Have a great weekend!

Christy

P.S.  Have you ever heard of Tunisian Crochet?  It looks interesting.  I like the idea of a rug done on a giant crochet hook.

Purrr - fect Place

I keep my paper for the fire in this basket and Tink thinks it's very nice sitting in it by the fire.

Christy

SHOGUN

Showgun came out in 1980 and was a TV Series.  I don't think I watched it, just a little bit, it was I remember very long and I don't think at the time I really got into it.  But a friend loaned us this DVD set and I must say it was a great series to watch.

I enjoyed the setting, sets and costumes.  I learned so much about Japanese history, their view on things and the story line is interesting.  The intrigues of the Jesuit Priests in Japan and so much more.

The accompanying dialog about the making of the film was very interesting too.

So if you come across it, watch it.  You will not be disappointed.

Christy

Rob On His Way To The Gym

Christy

Minimalist

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupe

Christy

Hadham Hall My Old School

 

Christy

Plastic Woven Bag from Guatemala

An Etsy purchase.  I have wanted a woven tote/shopping bag in willow or reed, but they are very expensive. So on looking through Etsy I found this one; which I really like.  It fulfills what I wanted a bag that is large enough to hold all my other bags, lunch bag, books, service items when needed, that has form and shape, so easy to find items inside.

This was shipped out of Texas and the shop owner had other bags too, but when I went back to view the shop, it was closed up. I was charged $4.00 for shipping, which I noticed when I received the package, had cost $9.00 and the bag itself was only $18.00. The bag comes from Guatemala.  Unfortunately I can't recommend them since the shop RicaRoo is closed.  But I love my bag.

Christy

2012 Writer's Diary

I would have loved to have made another diary for 2012 on Blurb using my own photos, but just didn't have time this year.  It's hard to find a diary, the selection has really gone down in the book shops, I guess they just don't sell with iPhones etc.  I bought this a couple of months ago and I'm glad I did because not many diaries have crossed my path in my limited travels.

But I do quite like this one.  Each week has a little picture and quote, writer related, plus lots of useful information, especially for a world traveler.  So I think I'm as satisfied with this as any.

My faithful girl is sitting with me.

It's very warm today around 52f, but it's suposed to get very cold.  So Rob needs to do several wood runs.

I bought myself a second set of those micro-plush sheets in a gray/blue, only this time on sale.  Since we will be using them all winter a second set will be good.  Plus I have those blues on one side of my quilt, so does tie in.

I keep thinking it's Monday with work tomorrow, but I'm delighted to say it's only Sunday.  I will pay some attention to the house and start cleaning, truth be told I'm always doing a bit here, a bit there, especially when I get up early in the morning.

Our Special Assembly Day was encouraging and I will have to review my notes.  Today was service, but plans were a little different and I was just out for the morning.

I bought a cardigan, well I was looking for one to go with my Irish Tartan skirt, which I did find, but while looking I also found another one which has I think 20% Alpaca, 20% wool and synthetic, but even with that small amount of alpaca, it's super warm.  It has those short wide sleeves in a very dark charcoal, I'll be able to wear some of my bright coloured polo necks under it.  Actually I wore it to the Japanese restaurant.

Can't believe it's 2012!

Christy