Live Simply Simply Live
  • Blog
  • Studio
  • Home
  • Cards
  • Coronation Wood

Simply..Doon the Watter....

1/7/2022

4 Comments

 
Two buses, two ferries to get there, the same coming back and sometimes when the weather and the rather complicated timetables work out, it's a breeze. Ardentinny to Clynder to a friends's house for lunch and a look round her magnificent garden.


We all love the little girl Doon The Watter statue and it brings back fond memries for many Glaswegians.

Picture
There is a good bus service from my village to the town.
Picture
Anc CalMac run a passenger ferry to Gourock.
Picture
Weather permitting in winter...
Picture
Could be me!
Picture
The even smaller Kilcreggan Ferry
Picture
The weather imprroved as the day went on.
Picture

We are pretty well served by public transport here.
4 Comments

Simply..what else....

29/6/2022

6 Comments

 
..to do on a very wet June day, but put on my waterproofs and pick the first sweet peas - such a strng scent!
Picture
Bake some Mary Berry scones..
Picture
And settle down to watch the tennis.
Picture
Harmony Tan! Spectacular!


6 Comments

Simply..extremes....

28/6/2022

1 Comment

 


From extreme heat and sunshine to relentless rain today - heavy rain, a moderate breeze and 13 degrees.

However, the Scottish rain does produce a lush leafy green landscape and the first couple of days after I came home from holiday weather of continuous sunshine and 31 degrees, we had a couple of gentle days and I felt very fortunate to have a beautiful place to come home to, with the meadow at its best.



Tsunamis and hurricanes, torndoes and flash floods and wildfires!  Really I should not be calling this post extremes! Extremely grateful is what I should be for our climate here in uk - but we do like to grumble aboout our weather. It's a national pastime.



Picture
1 Comment

Simply..

12/5/2022

14 Comments

 
Picture
14 Comments

Simply..Carry Farm

10/5/2022

2 Comments

 

I loved Carry Farm. And I adore the image on this page of their website. They somehow manage to be both homely and sophisticated at the same time. No hype. Low key. Small scale.


Caravans and eco lodges, hens arund your feet, donkeys and rare breeds, a sailing school,  quality craft work, real coffee. The woods around full of primroses and bluebells.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

A young Dad and his two small children passed us here - they were putting up a tent for the night on this bit of machair.
2 Comments

Simply..loving where I live!

9/5/2022

14 Comments

 
Come with me on a day trip around Argyll's Secret Coast. First stop is the viewpoint over the Kyles of Bute.
Picture
Then a stop at in Tighnabruaich Gallery. Paintings, ceramics, jewellery in a frequently chaning exhibition. Bright, friendly and a great place to find a special present. I've shown work there over many years and several different owners. Ros, the currrent owner was given one of my paintings by her parents for her 21st birthday. We both lived in Yoek at the time but didn't know each other then.
Picture
See the online shop for a good range of originalceramics.
Picture
Lunch at the stylish restaurant at Portavadie Marina was delicious Freshest fish !
Picture
Picture
Picture
Are you getting out and about again? And having friends to stay? It is wonderful.

In tomorrow's post we we'll call in at Carry Farm.
14 Comments

Simply..a few days of gentle rain....

5/5/2022

0 Comments

 
..has resulted in a great rush of green! Plants have doubled in size almost overnight.

A couple of beech branches, picked just before the leaves unfurl,  will decorate the dining table for a week or more.

Picture

And it may be quiet on the blog for a few days while I help my visitors eat thrugh this lot. Have a lovely weekend, out in green nature if you can!
0 Comments

Simply..first thing....

28/4/2022

4 Comments

 

What is the first lovely thing in your day?

Picture
4 Comments

Simply..early this morning....

19/4/2022

6 Comments

 

Very early this morning, I heard the first cuckoo deep in the forest.

Picture
Picture
6 Comments

Simplly..Bookpoint....

15/3/2022

2 Comments

 

Never mind Wigtown, we are really lucky to have a great independent bookshop in Dunoon. See Bookpoint's website here.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

Stationery, crafts and excellent gifts, and they serve a good cup of coffee. What more could we ask?!

Short blog break now, but back soon.
2 Comments

Simply..appreciating home....

12/3/2022

8 Comments

 
..more than ever.
Picture
Looking after it lovingly, full of gratitude and taaking nothing for granted.




8 Comments

Simply..breakfast....

17/2/2022

2 Comments

 
..on a dark morning in February..
Picture
first get the fire going
Picture
and the lights on
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
comfort food is sometimes required!

I have recently come across Tattie Rose Flowers and inspired by a few videos, before my second cup of coffee I slipped out and picked a few tiny bits of hobeysuckle leaves just breaking through, ivy, snowdrops and a hellebore to nake a very very tiny collection. I would love to work on the scale shown here!!

Picture
sometimes February doesn't seem too bad at all.
2 Comments

Simply..staying calm....

16/2/2022

6 Comments

 
Keep calm and carry on!

Picture

Storm Dudley does its worst, the long anticipated concert at the University has been cancelled, as are the plans for a long weekend at a friend's cottage.  Do you find that if things around the house are calm and orderly it helps you feel calm?
I have fuel and light and heat (and emergency supplies in case), all of which allay the disappointment to some degree...
Or so I am telling myself!

Light a candle and pour a glass of wine and prepare for storm Eunice! Wishing you cosiness and calm.
6 Comments

Simply..outside and in....

6/2/2022

6 Comments

 

How is the waether where you are?

I hope you are cosy..

What's it like if you are in the southern hemisphere?

Picture
Picture
Picture
Excuse the rather grubby socks! I've been wearing them all day like slippers..
6 Comments

Simply..the scented kitchen....

2/2/2022

0 Comments

 

I don't know which smell won out..
Picture
the clementines
Picture
the hyacinths
Picture
or the broccoli I had with my dinner!

A funny blend. The blends made by this perfumery sound wonderful. Thanks to Liz for the link (the podcast was delightful - see yesterday's comments).
0 Comments

Simply..even as they fade....

26/1/2022

8 Comments

 
..tulips are very lovely.
Picture
Picture
Picture


In other news - I have a project for February. I do love a project..
8 Comments

Simply..simple....

19/1/2022

6 Comments

 

Elegant in it's simplicity. I bought this in Stockholm. It is simply a long wire with a weight at the bottom and some tiny magnets. Quick and easy to change the cards and photographs.  Love it..
Picture
Picture
6 Comments

Smply..contrasts....

15/1/2022

2 Comments

 
Outside
Picture
And in..
Picture
2 Comments

Simply..minimal?

14/1/2022

4 Comments

 

Try clearing off one surface and just putting one thing back.

Picture
I tend to have more things around in winter - ornaments, cushions, pictures, throws etc. It gives a cosier feel to the house, but there always comes a day in January when I want the calm feeling I get from a clear surface, or a surface with just one thing on it.  There are two here but as one is a white folder against a white wall it hardly counts..

Does this work for you? Does it give you a feeling of spacious calm? Does it bring you a little sigh of pleasure?

4 Comments

Simply..an unusual sighting....

12/1/2022

3 Comments

 

..of the very shy robin

Picture
3 Comments

Simply..in the bleak mid winter....

18/12/2021

11 Comments

 

More film noir than Christmas cheer in Dunoon today!

Picture
The Old Coal Pier Christmas tree
Picture
Looking back towards the town
11 Comments

Simply..nice work....

16/12/2021

8 Comments

 
A satisfying task. I still have bulbs to plant too! Elemental, basic, simple. No need for government guidance or mandate, no online registering or mitigating protocols. I don't even need to wear a mask!

Whew.

While I have so little to say (imagine!)  you might like to browse my 10 year archive. I think that's what I will do.....


Picture
8 Comments

Simply..not so nice....

27/11/2021

6 Comments

 
..things about November! Roaring 50mph winds from the north, ferries suspended and power cuts from mid eveining thrugh the night. I was cosy with stove and candles and the power went on long enough to make a hot drink at one point.

Earlier in the day I opened the window to fill the bird feeder and a strong gust of wind blew down a large painting which was sitting on the table, propped against the wall. It knocked off plants and papers and a lamp all of which ended on the floor - nothing broken thankfully, but the birds had to wait till this morning for more seed...


Pots blown over and a bit of fencing down but no other damage. It would seem we got off quite lightly.

I hope you are all safe and well wherever you are.



Picture
6 Comments

Simply..nice things....

26/11/2021

0 Comments

 
..about November.

There is hygge, which I associate with winter, though the book How To Hygge shows lots of summer scenes.

As I batten down against strong winds and dire forecasts, it's time to bring out my favourite throws and dishes and biscuits. I am listening to The Snow Child on Audible and feeling very grateful for the positively luxurious levels of comfort most of us enjoy today, compared to those early pioneers in Alaska.

Picture
0 Comments

Simply..nice things

25/11/2021

10 Comments

 
..abut November.

The fragrance of quince. Cool, and sweet and unlike anything else. A bowl of them in a warm room scents the whole space. When I come down to the sitting room in the morning it's the first thing I notice.

I love it.
Picture
Picture
10 Comments
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Live Simply
    Live Simply
    Simple
    Simply Beautiful
    Simply Bin It
    Simply Chill
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Do A Good Deed
    Simply Draw
    Simply Draw
    Simply Eat
    Simply Fitter
    Simply Fun
    Simply Get Rid
    Simply Grow
    Simply Headspace
    Simply Holiday
    Simply Home
    Simply Home
    Simply Inspirational
    Simply Laugh
    Simply Learn
    Simply Listen
    Simply Live
    Simply Low Maintenance
    Simply Money
    Simply Move
    Simply Move
    Simply Organise
    Simply Paint
    Simply Routine
    Simply Seeing.. Or Not
    Simply Stylish
    Simply Venice
    Simply Write

    Categories

    All
    Live Simply
    Live Simply
    Simple
    Simply Beautiful
    Simply Bin It
    Simply Chill
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Do A Good Deed
    Simply Draw
    Simply Draw
    Simply Eat
    Simply Fitter
    Simply Fun
    Simply Get Rid
    Simply Grow
    Simply Headspace
    Simply Holiday
    Simply Home
    Simply Home
    Simply Inspirational
    Simply Laugh
    Simply Learn
    Simply Listen
    Simply Live
    Simply Low Maintenance
    Simply Money
    Simply Move
    Simply Move
    Simply Organise
    Simply Paint
    Simply Routine
    Simply Seeing.. Or Not
    Simply Stylish
    Simply Venice
    Simply Write

    Categories

    All
    Live Simply
    Live Simply
    Simple
    Simply Beautiful
    Simply Bin It
    Simply Chill
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Christmas
    Simply Do A Good Deed
    Simply Draw
    Simply Draw
    Simply Eat
    Simply Fitter
    Simply Fun
    Simply Get Rid
    Simply Grow
    Simply Headspace
    Simply Holiday
    Simply Home
    Simply Home
    Simply Inspirational
    Simply Laugh
    Simply Learn
    Simply Listen
    Simply Live
    Simply Low Maintenance
    Simply Money
    Simply Move
    Simply Move
    Simply Organise
    Simply Paint
    Simply Routine
    Simply Seeing.. Or Not
    Simply Stylish
    Simply Venice
    Simply Write


    Author

    An artist seeking a simpler life - (but not too simple!)

    All words and images copyright Freda Waldapfel 2010 - 2020

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.