Happy Stuff

I love my gloves / mittens. I love the colours and the way they work with my vintage jacket. I like how they work with my favourite scarf without being the same. The colours are similar tones.

I've just resurrected my green jacket, I changed the buttons for these military style ones and it's rejuvinated my love of it. I bought it originally in my favourite charity shop. I don't know how old it is, but it's M&S.

(I need a haircut though.. look at it!)

The scarf was bought in a shop at one of my local National Trust houses.
It's so incredibly diverse, it works with almost everything I own.

Oh, and I was right about my other hyacinth.. it is indeed white, but the pink one isn't doing anything, and I don't know what's wrong with it, but it looks to have dried up or something. It still has plenty of water, so it's not that. If it doesn't do anything in the next day or two I'm going to get proper worried.

Can you see the snow as well? We've still got quite a bit lurking around in places. :)

My biggest thing to report today.. I've been a little naughty ;-)

I've bought a book.

A book of fabulousness and joy and inspiration and eye candy.

I've bought Cath Kidstons Sew! and it's fabulous. So far I've made a card, and I have plans to decorate a purple fleece blanket I've had for ages with flowers, or possibly birdies.. haven't decided yet. I'll show you as soon as I do.

New Look

I've had a bit of a makeover. I just fancied a change for something a little seasonal, although it has come out looking rather festive. I like it, what do you think?

Oh, and one more shot of the snow, this time taken by Dad.. just because I am appallingly vain..

..and because it's a memory I want to preserve, the cold crunch underneath me, lying down in the middle of the road, the coldness on my back where my jumper rode up, and the cold soggyness of my bum for the rest of the walk.

Snow Day!

The snow has arrived in Somerset! I know for many it's a pain, but I do love the snow, particularly when I get a chance to go walkies in it. Was snowed in this morning, so didn't go to work. I did offer to go in for the afternoon, but was told not to bother. So.. a day in the snow to be enjoyed.

I havn't ever been sledging.. today could be the day. It's only 1.40, plenty of afternoon left!

We walked out to our local country lanes this morning, it was a very lovely walk, a good hour or so, snow angels and snowballs included. Havn't built a snowman yet either, but I did come across this fine chap on our walk.

Very impressed by someones building skills, and the combination of snow, door wreath and green door.. all very co-ordinated! Very little colour around though, much monochromosity about. Took lots and lots of photos, and later I'm doing some baking, so more photos to come, I expect!

Lovage! xx

Things That Made Me Smile, and Resolutions for 2010

Hello all.

In my renewed enthusiasm for my blog, I have decided to ensure I post at least once each week. This is 2010 resolution Numero Uno.

Resolution Two is the big one.

I will learn to drive.

At the age of 24 it's high time I had independence of movement. Plus, it will greatly facilitate me (eventually) moving out of home. These are currently my only resolutions for this year. I have other things I'd like to do, but they're not resolutions, as I don't want to set myself up for failure.

So.. the things that are making me smile at the moment..

Pretty pink hyacinth.. looks very vibrant. I'm hoping it retains that level of pinkness, and doesn't fade as it opens. There's another one sat beside it on the windowsill, slightly behind in terms of development. I can't remember what colour it is.. I think it might be white. I'll find out soon enough!

The next thing to make me smile is this Muppets videoclip. The bit I really love is at the very end. There are many many more, but it was this one I stumbled across first.

The thing that I'm expecting to make me smile shortly is the blackcurrant crumble that is currently in the oven, to be eaten with custard, and a great big smile... Ooh, I hear the oven timer.. must dash!! x

*Edited to add - yep, the crumble was indeed worth a smile or two.. very tasty indeed, with a good dollop of Ambrosia!*

2009 continued..

August

Now we come to the month of August in my review of 2009.. possibly the month I know most about, as it was in August that I re-started blogging. How else would I know that I made cookies and tiffin, both from Attic24 recipes!? Other things that happened.. the garden bloomed, along with the wildlife that lives in it.

A bean.. grown by us.. we never actually got around to eating them, but I did eventually collect them, and have got them to plant this coming year.

August was also the month of Donyatt Flower Festival.. really wish I could do photo mosaics, that would be very helpful here.. if anyone can help with that, please send me a message!

I suppose the biggest happening of August was mine and Mums day trip to St Ives. It was to celebrate (or possibly commiserate) my Mother going back into full time work since before I was born.

We had an absolutely brilliant day.. have a few snippits in picture form.

The other thing of much excitement which happened in August was my first attempts in crochet! Not particularly good (and I havn't got much better yet) but I was very, very proud at the time.

Oh, and the bank Holiday Weekend, we went to Tyntesfield.


September


I can't believe I've got around to September already!

Not so much happened in September, but I do at least know what it was. The main thing was The Mayors Musical Extravaganza, a show of song and dance.

I was very proud of this show, particularly the younger cast members.

Nextly, was my first purchase of proper expensive wool (as opposed to acrylic).. I havn't done anything with it yet. I'm still too scared!

In September I also won a blog giveaway from Surfer Rosa! A gorgeous parcel of loveliness arrived, making me very happy indeed.

pins, crocheted pincushion, chocolate, needles, cake cases and a stitched heart decoration. I love them all.. obviously I don't have the chocolate any more!

Lastly, another National Trust visit.. this time to Arlington Court near Barnstaple.

(How Country Homes & Interiors is the wheelbarrow photo!?)

October

October is the month for Carnival! Technically they start in September, but I didn't take photos until October. We always watch Wellington (last Saturday in September) and Ilminster (first saturday in October). The above float was the most incredible tableau (not sure on spelling) of Robin Hood.. it was HUGE. Apparently it didn't age well, and was looking a bit ropey by the end of the circuit.

My best photos of the month came from a walk to the Garden Centre. The most amazingly blue sky helped!

Also in October, I planted many many bulbs.. you'll probably see them in another month or two! (The indoor ones were hideously mis-treated, and may be dead)

November

Finally, toward the end of November the weather decided to become Autumny. Overnight, it got proper cold.

These three are all from my Birthday outing to Watersmeet, about the only thing that really got done in November.

Oh, and this was my birthday cake, a very yummy chocolatey one.

December

We've come nearly full circle now, but I have almost no photos from this December.

The few I do have are unexciting.. anyway. I was doing my Christmas Wrapping, and I was so proud of this parcel, I photographed it! I never wrap something that well! Obviously this wasn't the full effect, it also had some gold glitter paper and red paper raffia added.. my parcels looked so good this year! :)

That just about completes my 2009.. there was so much more that I've forgotten, or didn't photograph. It wasn't the best year, but it was far from being the worst. I'm now looking forward to 2010, and all it may bring. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!