Pure white tulips.
Outer order, inner calm.
This is the title of Gretchen Rubin's latest book, but I've long been a convert to this principle.
It really works for me.
Does it work for you too?
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Pure white tulips. Outer order, inner calm. This is the title of Gretchen Rubin's latest book, but I've long been a convert to this principle. It really works for me. Does it work for you too?
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 Or at least battening down the rarpaulin on the logs. Gales tonight. The Country Living magazines don't show you what hard work living in the countryside is! To cheer myself up I went looking for the shed in prettier times....    That's better!
Did anyone else see the giant white bird and the small black one in yesterday's photograph? I am sure it is was a good omen....or I would be if I believed in omens. :-) A good Scottish word for grey and rainy. This was the only bright moment in the weaher today. It's been a bit like Thomas Hood's poem lately!.  I will of course start eating sensibly again, but first I have to finish off the leftover cake, biscuits, ice cream and chocolate covered raisins because I can't possibly eat well while they are in the cupboards and the sooner I scoff them all the sooner I will be eating healthy again. I know there is a flaw in this train of thought but I can't quite see a way out. I mean it would be wrong to bin all that nice food and I have given away as much as people are willing to take (they all have their own hoard). However, after a day of indulgence, which I didn't really enjoy, I am ready for a fresh start. I like new beginnings, a new notebook, a new resolution, a new page, a blank canvas... So, open all the windows - even if its raining and blowing   Empty the rubbish bins, recycle the bottles.  Ear vegetables, drink water.  Clear off one surface - even if that means just piling it all up on another surface for now...  Light a fresh candle.  Get outside. I was only going to the bottle bank but bumped into a friend and went a much longer walk. You know you will feel better for it.   Then make a cup of coffee and sit down and write about it!
Even if you don't write a blog - a new diary? Your own Thought For The Day? A new list? Blogging is an odd thing in many ways, but it certainly makes my life more fun! I'm off to do Fly Lady's Home Blessing Hour - I listen to her as I do it - she's so wonderful and makes me laugh. Laughing as I do the housework? Who'd have thought it! Have a great day. and some real snow....  with more forecast. I am enjoying the ritual as the day darkens of going round the house switching on the lights and lighting the candles.      I made all of these from the leftover wax from last year's big candle. The house smelt wonderful all day and felt like a sanctuary. Love it.   Making my own weather here!
Chalk pen 60p 5 minutes :-) - I need to spend a day, or maybe two, dealing with loose ends. I will start by making the apology I made in December 2014! Then I will try to think of a way to make it less tedious - Make it fun, it will get done and all that Any ideas? All I've got at the moment is a sinking feeling...   I did add a little red to my decorations and that perked me up a little...
My first venture into candle making.  This is the huge leftover lump of wax from the wildly expensive candle (The White Company) last Christmas. It wouldn't burn any further and I couldn't bear to throw it out so wrapped it tightly in a plastic bag and put it in the back of a cupboard. It still smells absolutely fabulous so the plan is to melt it down and make some small candles from it.... Have any of you ever done this? ..but not too much..   Red poinsettias are very popular house plants here in uk at Christmas, but I couldn't resist this mini white one from Marks and Spensers for £3. I sat on it on the bus by accident but it bounced back! I'd love to know if your country has a particular plant associated with Christmas.. To embrace the cold outside (great health bennefits I am told...) To enjoy being snug inside - woodburner/candles/cushions and throws. To eat great food and not put on weight. Quite a challenge. To enjoy every minute of the run up to Christmas and totally ignore the hype. I plan to make a list of twenty things...... Join me?  New dressing gown! I seem to be out at both dawn and dusk lately....enchanting times of day that can almost make me believe in magic.  Dawn sun light and yet another circle   The shore path at dusk What's your favourite time of day? ..but it was dusk.. I definitely have a bit of Bella Brown in me (see the film This Beautiful Fantastic on iPlayer) as I can't help making patterns.  even when raking up leaves.  and look - here comes the local bus, without which I could not live here.  I love that bus.
  and shadows   and reflections The gypsophila will dry in the vase and then I will use it to make a winter wreathe for the door. (A tip if you are buying gypsophila - smell it first! Some of it has a really bad, sour smell.) PS The delightful film This Beautiful Fantastic is currently on BBC iPlayer. ..is one of the easiest ways to create enchantment (my word for the year)..  I love playing around with lamps and candles.
After a long day in the city I get home too late to light the fire, but an electric heater to quickly warm up the room, half a dozen tea lights, little battery ones and this small directional lamp spotlighting the flowers quickly creates a lovely and relaxing atmosphere for the hour or two before bed... I think I'll sleep well. The prunings from the clematis were way too pretty to put straight in the compost bin so I draped them all over the place...       They can go in the compost tomorrow when they've wilted, meanwhile they are sparking joy! ..with my new garden feature....     After a number of delays and several phonecalls it arrived really early this morning before I was even dressed. I flung trousers and a jacket over my PJ's and spent the next few hours positioning it and filling and levelling it and deciding whether or not to put the acer beside it, all the while drinking lots of coffee and having some outdoor breakfast. I had a fun time and quite forgot I hadn't got dressed properly.... (in a good way!)..for lilies.  Big shop, stacked another delivery of wood, defrosted freezer, cooked soup for said freezer, cooked dinner, and am still waiting for the special delivery for the drive... What are you busy with? And what are you going a little mad about?   ..and enjoying Autumn.  Some repair work and cleaning up under a new-this-year swallow nest, getting ready  for the first delivery of wood.     and swapping summer textiles for the winter ones  None of them new - just brought out of the cupboard and greeted like old friends!
i'm thinking now about stocking up with food. Home cooked meals in the freezer or at least the ingredients to make a good meal for guests, tins of beans to bulk up a stew or to have on toast for an emergency meal (ie when I've run out of food or am too tired to make anything). Covent Garden lovely soups freeze well and are only £1 in the supermarket just now, and I will make more of this easy recipe from my friend Lynne while there are still courgettes available Cook courgettes, frozen peas and a good handful of mint in some stock till soft. Blend till smooth and drizzle with single cream or a tiny amount of truffle oil to serve. Any other storecupboard ideas most welcome. As you know I live a long way from the shops and sometimes I get lazy about shopping and put it off till I have run out of food... Must do better! I hope you are enjoying whatever season you are in where you are. I really like it!    And I am waiting impatiently for the delivery of the finishing touch....
..acorns on the young oak tree on my path to the shore.  Unlike most of the country we have had a few clear and calm sunny days. So beautuful.   This is currently for sale. Fabulous position on the shores of Loch Long. The beach above is just below the house. Any takers? After the Immersive Van Gogh experience, today I was immersed in the wonderful music of pianist Edward jCohen at the University of Glasgow where he played an unusual programme - here is part of the description from the notes... Today's recital consists of pieces that have been chosen to move seamlessly from one to the next, without pause. Movements of exotic 20th century works, alternate with gems from the Romantic era.... (Liszt, Mompou,Brahms,Rautavaara,Schumann,and Hovhaness. I didn't recognize a thing but it was utterly marvellous!) There may be a jinx on the vehicles on this project! The builder's van broke down - 4 days hold up. The lorry delivering the gravel broke down - 2 days delay. So we went to the beach and made a north point...  |
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