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..to beauty. I've indulged myself this dark month with lots of candles. On the breakfast table until bathtime.       I'm taking a few days blog break now. May you be watm and dry and virus free!
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..Well, not literally thank goodness! If you could choose what scary storm Dennis - or whatever wind is blowing in your part of the world - could blow away, what would it be? I've just been out to blow away some cobwebs (sitting still far too long). It worked! Though I got back indoors and sat down again to write this!  But, I am going to bake, do some ironing and cleaning and some of the other plodding things which must be done, so that when the weather does improve I can be out in it getting some much needed exercise and vitamin D.  I would like storm Dennis to blow away my lethargy and low mood, all the flood waters, all lying politicians, all petty worries, all the junk lying along the motorway verges, all the misery of the people whose homes are flooded, all warmongers - I have no idea where it will all go but .....Blow yourself out Dennis! Unfortunately it is set to blow all night and all day tomorrow here. I do hope you are not affected. (February's not my best month. I expect you can tell?) I did ask politely if the bright new health and safety notices could be on the other side of the poles? Just a little bit lower so they were not visible from my windows? Maybe just below my hedge?   The two guys doing the job were very sympathetic 'They'll stick out like sore thumbs, won't they!' they said - which is the whole point I suppose. They explained the regulations patiently. Rules is rules I guess. ..about this blog. Weebly has served me well but can I point out that the format doesn't always allow comments on comments to appear where I want them to? They can appear out of sequence - sorry about that! I also can only reply to comments on a post for a day or at most two - I simply couldn't keep up otherwise. I absolutely love your comments - they are what make this blog a conversation rather than a monologue. Thank you for brightening my day, every day! I also like that you communicate with each other here; after all, we have a lot in common. I read a Wordpress blog recently and found ads in it - which It had never had before - and which the writer would never have chosen. Has anyone ever seen an ad on my blog? I hope not but if you ever do you would let me know right away? Am storm bound today and the noise of the wind is very distracting. I plan to stay home and cook and bake and juice and fill the freezer with good things. Hope you are all warm and dry too, with lots of nice food in your cupboards and freezers.  I've just had the William Scott poster framed. ..for four days. Storm Ciara is making a lot of noise out there, but in here all is hygge.  Wherever you are I hope you are cosy and safe. Golden in the kitchen.  Rosy in the bathroom.  And cool in the hall.  How does the morning light come into your house? There is an art to stacking wood, and I clearly haven't mastered it.  at dinner..  Well I have to counteract the gloom and storms outside with something! Nobody used PhotoStick? ..st brekfast.  with a sweet message from my sister..  Shine bright Has anyone used the PhotoStick I keep seeing advertised? Sounds like a very useful thing... 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?  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. |
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