Goodies from France

When my daughter's boyfriend asked if there was anything that I would like him to bring back from France, I couldn't resist asking for a copy of Marie Claire Idées, which is always inspirational, and some soap...I love French soap, particularly the handmade lavender variety!

The shea butter soap (at the bottom of the picture) is in the bathroom at the moment and it smells gorgeous! I have had a quick flick through the magazine, but I'm saving a proper look in the hope that, by doing so, I can hang on to 'été' a little longer! Despite today's blue sky and sunshine, there's certainly been an autumnal feel to the last couple of days, particularly the evenings, which have found us reaching for our blankets to keep our flip-flop feet warm as we relax on the sofa!

Bye for now,

Rebecca
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Summer

One of the things I love about summer is watching the garden come alive with colour. I love the vibrant shades of orange of this gorgeous lily that has come into bloom this week. It was gift from a good friend of mine some years ago and I am always amazed when it bursts back to life from its seemingly empty, weathered terracotta pot that stands on the patio all through winter. This winter its pot was even piled high with snow and ice for days on end, but it's still grown back...the wonders of nature!

Another thing that I love about summer is being able to have breakfast in the garden...I sit on the bench and just watch for while...bliss! Ooh, and another thing I love about summer...the fruit: the other morning I had muesli with yoghurt and nectarine, which was delicious! I know you can buy so many summer fruits all year round now, but I tend not to: I prefer to keep to the seasons. It might be all in my mind, but I think the fruit just tastes better that way!


I do hope the summer weather continues as I shall be at Hooton Pagnell Summer Fete on Sunday and I've been soaked there too many times before! Hooton Pagnell is a gorgeous South Yorkshire village with a fascinating history and the Fete is always good fun...even in the rain!

I've lots to do to get ready so I had better go...

Back soon,

Rebecca
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Time

Blue sky...such a welcome sight after so many cold, dark, wintry days!

On Sunday, I decided to move the garden bench into the sunshine and sit for a while with a cup of coffee and a piece of flapjack...and just enjoy! Oooh, it was so lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on my face - the last time was so long ago! It was not sunbathing weather by any means as I was wearing my thick cardi and fleece for warmth elsewhere, but it lifted my spirits no end!

It was lovely to see signs of spring around the garden, to watch the birds come and go, and hear them twittering from the tree tops. It reminded me of one of my favourite poems, 'Leisure' by William Henry Davies (1871-1940):

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

I am so looking forward to spring and more opportunities to sit and stare...it didn't take long and made me feel very happy indeed!

Back soon,

Rebecca

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Things that make me cheerful:

1. Making and creating with the children at my art and craft workshops

I had a lovely time with a small group during half term making fridge magnets out of old CDs, bottle top bugs and fish mobiles. This week I have been asked to run a twice weekly after school arts and crafts club at a primary school nearby, which is very exciting. I start on 8th March and I am so looking forward to it!

2. Vintage embroidery

I received this pretty embroidered table cloth in the post from my mum and it makes me feel very cheerful indeed! Such pretty colours to brighten these dull, damp and cold days that we've been having. Oh, how I am looking forward to Spring, its flowers and, hopefully, some sunshine - I'm sure that would make us all feel a lot more cheerful!

Hope you're having a lovely weekend (whatever the weather!).

Back soon,

Rebecca
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When will there be broccoli?

Oh, my poor, neglected blog! Where has all the time gone - it's been over 2 weeks since my last post! Well, I am here now...for a few minutes, anyway!

I've been busy finishing off a large wholesale order, which included kilt pins and brooches like these:


Having had quite a good run of sales over the last few weeks, I am busy making more stock and trying to update my various online shops, including a new outlet here. November is going to be quite a busy month with various fairs & markets and, of course, my Learn to Crochet Workshop (see side bar for details - there are still some places left), not to mention thinking about Christmas on a personal level! But I do like to be busy, so I am not complaining!

The nights are drawing in, which I quite like...curtains closed to the world, lamps on...time to snuggle down on the sofa with a hot drink and some crochet or knitting! I love he colours of Autumn! I can see this miniature apple tree from the kitchen window and have watched its leaves change from green to gold to this vibrant russet shade that brightens some the dull days we have been having of late!
There is no doubt that it is easy to see the seasons progressing at a pace by looking at all the changes in the garden and around abouts. However, while some things are changing quickly, others are taking rather longer! Each day I go to the bottom of the garden to our small veg patch and search...and always return to the house asking myself the same question: when will there be broccoli? Despite massive leaves and careful nurturing (you might remember this), there is no sign of any broccoli! It's been in the ground for a year...how long does getting broccoli take? Are we nearly there yet?


Bye for now,

Rebecca
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Nowt as funny (or kind) as folk!

Thursday again...the last week has just flown by!

Where has all the time gone...well, I've had a bit of a de-junk around here, which culminated in hubby and I attending a car boot sale on Sunday. It was a busy boot sale full of , what I call, "real booters", and bustling with people. We managed to shift quite a bit, but also brought quite a bit home, which now sits in various places awaiting its fate...charity shop, recycling, eBay...or back in the loft!! People are funny aren't they...I just love it when somebody asks how much you're charging for something that cost a fortune to buy new and is in immaculate condition...and, when you tell them you'd like £1 for it, they almost drop the item and step back from your stall in horror!!

Back to school for my two on Monday and, I have to say, it definitely feels like the start of the autumn term here this morning! Much, much cooler, dark, wet and windy...but autumn does have its good points....

gorgeous plums brought round to us by our lovely neighbour B, and, not long after B had left, I had a little person at my door thrusting a bag of these lovely apples at me! The little boy (W, aged 3) from next door was given an apple tree by one of his godparents when he was born - it's really small but produces lots and lots of crispy, tasty apples! W reported that they had picked all the apples because the blackbirds were starting to eat them! Such kind neighbours!

Time to get dressed...I toughed it out yesterday, but I think there will have to be socks involved in today's outfit!

Back soon,

Rebecca

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Red and Green

Although I dislike seeing hot cross buns in January, back to school promotions in June, and Christmas decorations in September, I've been seeing red and green here this week as I have made a start on Christmassy things!!

A rustic, red rag heart...

A little green felt stocking...

made up and photographed ready for a November workshop! As I did not have a Christmas tree to hang them from, I thought that the holly bush in the garden was the next best, almost festive, thing! I have also been cutting out reindeers!! I don't like doing it in the summer, but last year I left it way too late so I am trying to be more organised this year!

Ripe red tomatoes...

Gorgeous green salad from the garden...

A little bit of seasonal red and green to remind me that summer is still here...and long may it continue!

Bye for now,

Rebecca

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