tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28574958560513477282023-11-16T12:55:44.675+00:00A Quiet CornerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.comBlogger536125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-73157783991420769322016-09-04T14:42:00.000+01:002016-09-04T14:42:14.681+01:00Seasons::Autumn Again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Let's skip the fact that it has been a long time since I have blogged shall we? Thank you to those kind people who asked after me - there were a mixture of issues that made me go quiet - family issues that were not mine to talk about but were close to my heart, a sort of brain fug which made me dissatisfied with everything I wrote and poverty of time. I was very active in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aquietcorner/">Instagram</a>, finding photographs so much easier than words. Anyway here I am dipping my toe into the water. I've changed the template and am thinking about moving to a different platform but we will see. <br />
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So moving on. <br />
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Autumn! My favourite time of year; it makes me think of bonfires, apples. jumpers. leaves. berries, misty mornings and long walks in the country. Coming inside I want blankets, wood fires and steaming cups of tea. Oh there is much to love about this time of year. September straddles the seasons with its mix of warm and cooler days - for me it is when I plan and think about the joy to come. <br />
<span style="color: orange;"><b>My autumn bucket list:</b></span> <br />
* Have an autumn picnic with warm drink and a chance to enjoy the last of the warm sunshine.<br />
* Forage! This is the prime time for lots of goodness in our hedgerows - not just wild damsons, blackberries and sloes; it is also fun to collect leaves and berries to bring into the house.<br />
* Order in the wood and get the chimney swept.<br />
* Ready the house for winter with a good clean.<br />
* Put away the clutter of summer - donate clothes and shoes that will not be needed next year and check dates on half used sunscreens. throw away what won't get used again.<br />
* Plan and give an autumn themed dinner for friends.<br />
* Walk along a blustery beach - the autumn & winter is my favourite time to go to the beach.<br />
* Stock up on candles and buy new oils to burn. At this time of year I love pine, cedar, lavender and clove. <br />
* Check through the scarves, hats and gloves. We don't need them yet but there is nothing worse than getting caught out once cold weather hits. <br />
* Join a yoga class and keep up the walking! I want to move my way through this autumn and winter.<br />
* Make more damson jam - the first batch I made has almost gone! It is the jam of kings.<br />
* Take time to sit and watch the flames, craft and drink tea. You don't always have to be busy...<br />
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For more ideas of things to do in autumn read this autumnal manifesto on <a href="http://littlegreenshedblog.co.uk/2016/08/craft-life-aut/">Lou's</a> blog. There is also this list on <a href="http://www.seedsandstitches.com/blog/2016/9/4/10-wonderful-things-to-make-do-and-celebrate-in-september">Hannah's</a> blog. Both are lovely to read.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-85097057508272688952016-03-14T16:21:00.000+00:002016-03-14T16:21:09.372+00:00Life::March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am really not sure what has happened to March so far - I absolutely did not intend to not blog for two weeks but here I am with a great big gap in my posting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well for a month that came roaring in like a lion it is now beginning to look a good deal more lamb like. This weekend was wonderful and I was so happy that we were visiting friends in Dorset as it gave me a chance to take huge lungfuls of sea air. Malvern is very beautiful but I do so love the sea and feel very landlocked if I don't get to see it every so often. I love it in all its guises but yesterday when it shimmered and sparkled for us we talked about a quote from that lovely children's story "Anne of Green Gables";</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Look at that sea, girls--all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So true.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been trying to post a monthly to do list and so half way through here is March's...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1) At the end of the month we have a family wedding in Donegal, Ireland. This will be the first Cunningham wedding in many a year and people will be gathering from many corners of the world. I am VERY excited.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">2) I need an outfit! Cue much looking at<a href="https://www.toa.st/uk/"> Toast</a> and <a href="http://www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/New">Cos. </a>Does anyone else have any brilliant suggestions? I think I am going to have to make an emergency dash to London or Birmingham this weekend to buy something. As someone who runs a minimal wardrobe I do not want to buy a 'wedding outfit' (the idea makes me shudder) I need something that I can wear lots, preferably to work. Am thinking navy dress. Too boring? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3) I have seen a couple of people mention wild garlic recently. Hip hip! I was especially taken with <a href="http://emmabradshaw.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/wild-garlic-cheese-scones-yay-its.html">this post</a> and will certainly be trying Emma's scones out. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4) My garden needs some attention - I have started thinking about this space and am planning a few new planting ideas - perhaps there will be more on this as things develop...</span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-32403688865167624382016-02-26T11:57:00.001+00:002016-02-26T11:57:32.217+00:00Life::The Tail End of Winter <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have to say despite an active embrace of hygge and all things cosy I have struggled with the tail end of winter. It hasn't helped that I have spent two weeks battling a flu/cold thing that has laid me low in spirit as well as in body. My family has had to put up with endless sighing and listlessness - it is driving me mad let alone them. What I need is a good shake and a bit of a talking to. In an effort to turn my mood I have been thinking about the great things that have been going on recently...<br />
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* The return of the light! Returning back to work this week has been made a great deal easier because I have been driving in the light. It is heaven.<br />
* Soup. We have been making all kinds of soup and hooray hooray Finn has decided after 12 long years of trying to persuade him, that soup is a good think. Anna Jones' two books have been a great source of inspiration. We have been especially fond of <a href="http://annajones.co.uk/recipe/celeriac-soup-hazelnuts-crispy-sage">this one</a> recently.<br />
* Crochet. I have got back to it after a bit of a break and am loving it. <a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/21251429464858501/">This</a> has been a source of inspiration - although I may swap the neon for something more muted. I love neon but it doesn't fit in my home.<br />
* Signs of Spring. I saw primroses on the way to work this morning and last night when I took Finn to his swimming club someone had cut the grass - oh the smell! And there is magnolia coming out. It is just round the corner I tell you!<br />
* Finally, and most excitingly, we have booked a very special holiday for next October. We are going to New York! I am beyond excited.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-12469522647692566492016-02-07T22:45:00.000+00:002016-02-07T22:45:54.955+00:00Read::Simple Matters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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About two weeks ago I noticed a book coming up on a few of my favourite American intergram feeds and, after doing one of those journeys that leads you half way round the internet, I ended up on <a href="http://www.readingmytealeaves.com/">ReadingMyTeaLeaves</a>, Erin Boyle's wonderful blog. What a total treat - if you don't know it you should check it out. She writes beautifully, in a naturally friendly way and takes gorgeous photographs. Also I really like what she has to say about living lightly on this earth. </div>
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Anyway I digress - back to the book. I had been under the impression that it was only available in the States so I was super pleased to see in in Blackwell's when I was in Oxford last weekend. As soon as I was able I started to read (in a nearby pub as it happens) and I was hooked. There are so many decluttering/lifestyle/look at my gorgeous home books out there but few are as accessible and inspiring as this one. Or indeed as beautiful.</div>
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What Erin Boyle does is weave practical advice with stories from her life and her philosophy for living. Her tone is just right, as if you are making a new friend. But more than that she really inspires. I had done quite a bit of decluttering and simplifying last year but had stuttered to a halt. Now I am keen to start again - there is so much more that we simply do not need. My favourite chapter was the last one where Erin talks about travelling around Italy with just a backpack for company.</div>
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"I am suggesting that when I think back to times in my life when I have felt truly happy, calm and invigorated, at peace...they've been moments like these. Times when I have had a bag full of clothes to wear, a roof over my head, food in my belly, but not so much at all in terms of stuff." </div>
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I have had the same experience myself and know that what she says is very, very true; things bring a fleeting thrill but lasting happiness comes from experiences, comradeship and love. Nothing else matters. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-2470528952154604182016-02-02T16:06:00.001+00:002016-02-02T16:06:48.870+00:00Adventures::The Welsh House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you come across the fabulous <a href="http://www.thewelshhouse.co.uk/">The Welshhouse</a>? I first came across Dorian's wonderful houses via Instagram when a few of my favourite bloggers, <a href="http://littlegreenshedblog.co.uk/2015/08/the-welsh-house/"> Lou</a>, <a href="http://www.theowlandtheaccordion.com/search?q=the+welsh+house">Victoria</a> and<a href="http://circleofpinetrees.com/welsh-house-house-lost-time/"> Laura </a>went to stay. I then spotted Bryncyn in a copy of 'Modern Rustic magazine and I was hooked.<br />
"Bryncyn" means hillock in Welsh and so late on a Friday in January Mark, Finn and myself found ourselves winding up a hilly path towards the welcoming arms of this lovely cottage. It was very dark and cold that night but we quickly got to grips with the woodburner, the logs thoughtfully provided for our first fire, and a warming supper was soon underway. In no time it felt like we were settled into a place we were happy to call our home for the weekend.<br />
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When Dorian first acquired Bryncyn it was in a very sad and sorry state. His inclination is to preserve the heritage of these beautiful old Welsh cottages but in this case he knew he needed to do something a little different. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Whilst the National Theatre was inspiration for the extension on the main house he was inspired at the time with John Pawson's work. Study of his philosophy taught him to remove anything which is no longer of use and so he started to take the cottage back to its bare bones. He also added an </span>extension<span style="font-family: inherit;">, which I loved, and I could certainly see the influence of the National Theatre there. I have always loved The South Bank buildings and the beauty that comes with simplicity. That isn't to say that the cottage lacks comfort. As Dorian said "This initial style was a little </span>austere<span style="font-family: inherit;"> so over the course of time I've added more to the comfort of the place" Dorian is, by the way, the </span>loveliest man, so generous and friendly - I am quite sure that that is why his cottages exude a sense of home<span style="font-family: inherit;"> - they contain some of his heart.</span></span></div>
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What I loved about the cottage was that the modern section was so very light and bright and this contrasted with the warm, cosy feel of the sitting room with its small traditional windows and lower ceilings. There was something very beautiful about how the light comes in through those little windows, set back into the thick walls; it streams in in beams that lend the room a magic quality.<br />
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I have to say though that what really made my weekend was the utter peace and quiet that Bryncyn offered. A lack of wifi meant that the phone checking, the screen staring and the desire to look every little thing up completely disappeared. Even Finn, a modern 12 year old whose love affair with instagram is nearly as strong as his mother's, stopped sighing about the loss of the internet and began to relax into a quieter way of being. We flowed through the day - nothing felt pressured or urgent. I think that I truly relaxed for the first time in a very long time. When I returned to work on the Monday I had more energy than I have had since before Christmas and I am sure it was because I was hardly on line.<br />
For me it was a weekend of gentle pursuits: crochet, card games, candle light, fire gazing, tea and welshcakes and the odd glass of wine. Just writing about it now makes me want to do it all over again.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3a3a3a; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20.5714px;">Our stay at <a href="http://www.thewelshhouse.co.uk/">The Welsh House</a> was gifted to us but all thoughts and opinions are my own. I would wholeheartedly recommend a stay at one of The Welsh House cottages - rain or shine you would have a wonderful stay.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-86389416662823344802016-02-01T17:51:00.000+00:002016-02-01T17:51:19.662+00:00Life::February Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There were days when I thought that January was never going to end and then, suddenly, the end came all in a rush and as I said on instagram yesterday, looking back it was a lovely month. There were some dark old days though...<br />
The arrival of February means that we are on the countdown to spring and it is definitely getting lighter which can only be a good thing.<br />
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So February - what will it bring?<br />
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1) Pancake day is on the 9th of this month and although I love the traditional lemon & sugar I want to get a bit more creative this year.<br />
2) Valentine's day is on the 14th as usual. I want to do something special, although nothing too expensive, because my love has been especially wonderful recently; he deserves some treats.<br />
3) I have recently bought 'Simple Matters' by<a href="http://www.readingmytealeaves.com/"> Erin Boyle</a>. My attempts to simplify and reduce the clutter in my home had ground to a halt recently but I am now feeling firmly reinvigorated and have started to look at corners that need a real sorting out. I plan to write more about this inspirational book in another post. Anyway some of half term will be given over to re-establishing order onto the house.<br />
4) We also plan a trip to Dorset to see some old friends and to see the sea. Can not wait.<br />
5) I am kind of hoping for a little bit of snow. We haven't had any yet and I would love to see some before the winter has finished with us.<br />
6) It is a leap year - something worth celebrating a little don't you think? It only happens once every four years so it would be rude not tho toast it with a glass of something...<br />
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So that is about it - there will also be reading, crochet and my lovely family to keep me busy - so that seems like plenty in actual fact.<br />
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I hope you all have a fantastic February x<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-55832221628892914542016-01-20T16:44:00.001+00:002016-01-20T16:44:15.238+00:00Soul::Walking in the Fog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I don't know if it is because I have been reading a lot of 19th century novels recently (GCSE English Literature's new must read) but the fog makes me think of the Victorians. I constantly expect to hear the distant trundle of carriage wheels; perhaps a carriage off to take Mr Holmes to solve another mystery or a Dickensian heroine about to elope with her forbidden lover. There is certainly something gothic about the fog...<br />
I love walking in this kind of weather - there is a special quality to the silence that adds to the sense of enclosure and mystery; it is a weather that allows the landscape to reveal itself little by little and to sometimes surprise you. When I walk in fog I get that feeling of nervous excitement, the feeling that anything might happen.<br />
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When we have had our fill of mystery there is the returning home to the warmth of fire and tea and cake. Perfect.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-4016318620392279912016-01-14T12:15:00.005+00:002016-01-14T12:15:54.514+00:00Life::On Grief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It will not have escaped anyone's notice that David Bowie died earlier this week. I liked David Bowie and his music has backgrounded some parts of my life. I liked him enough to go and see him, own a few CD's, certainly I could sing along to any number of his songs - have done at many a party...sometimes I wasn't even that drunk. However I was never what you would call a die hard fan. So it took me by surprise when on hearing the news I burst into tears. Then I cried on the way to work, cried again when I talked to a friend about him and then after I'd finished teaching and had a moment to look at the news. For a while I couldn't get it and then, suddenly I understood. It was Christine.</div>
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It is so odd when someone you love dies. They are there in your heart, preserved in memory but. Oh yes, but. </div>
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There is no doubt that time heals the rawness of pain, there are days when they aren't in your head, months in fact. Then something comes along and all that sadness, the well of impossible longing to see them comes back and you are right back where you started. Christine loved David Bowie. He inspired her to live in Berlin for a time and his music was always around her homes. So his death has brought back Christine to me - and, I know, to others who loved her. We are feeling again the sharpness of our loss of a great friend. </div>
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Love is funny like that - the person may have gone but the feeling remains just the same. </div>
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I wrote about Christine's death <a href="http://a-quiet-corner.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/heros.html">here</a>. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-7537846977289629152016-01-13T18:08:00.000+00:002016-01-13T18:08:00.518+00:00Home::Winter Warmers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Brrr! It has turned a bit cold hasn't it? If I am honest I am pleased as I was beginning to think that we weren't going to get a proper winter at all. I like a crisp cold day - they are some of my favourites. At the weekend I did a gathering up of blankets to make sure that every chair has a blanket to grab and wrap around. Over the years I have made and collected quite a few! The wood burner has been going, soup is being made by the bucketful and we have settled down to celebrate the quiet. </div>
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I am more tired in the winter - like a hibernating animal the dark makes me want to snooze. These are the days that seem to take the longest and the ones that I struggle with the most. I have to plan how to enjoy these days or I can get an attack of the grumps. Something I have started again is crochet. I lost my way with it over the course of last year and would take it up but only in fits and starts. Well a desire for a new blanket and the need to create and make has pushed me back to the hook and it feels wonderful. Row after row of trebles requires no thought but the steady rhythm allows me to fall into a kind of trance that gives me such a deep feeling of relaxation. Also, as it grows, it drapes so beautifully and keeps my knees lovely and warm!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-42778173652513572622016-01-06T08:58:00.001+00:002016-01-06T08:58:05.133+00:00Life::January Plans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When I first started blogging I would regularly put together a sort of 'to do' list at the start of each month. I liked these posts as they focused my ideas and gave me the push I sometimes needed to accomplish my goals. So I am going to start them up again - here are plans for January:-<br />
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1. To continue to<b> simplify the house</b>. Whenever we take the tree down I love the sense of space it brings. I want to continue to create that sense by clearing more clutter.<br />
2.<b> A weekend away</b> - I am very excited about a trip to Wales in mid-January where we will be staying in an amazing cottage. More of that later in the month!<br />
3. Make <b>marmalade</b>. It is January, there are Seville oranges - it is a January ritual that fills the house with the most beautiful scent which reminds us of the sun to come.<br />
4. <b>Walking</b>. I love to walk in the winter and Mark and I plan to get out onto our hills as often as this wet weather will allow us.<br />
5. At the end of the month it is <b>Myles' 21st birthday</b>. We will be going to Oxford to celebrate with him - something I am really looking forward to.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-78613487540197254222016-01-04T16:43:00.000+00:002016-01-04T16:43:19.522+00:00Life::A Word for 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday period - ours was exactly what the doctor ordered; one that was full of restful days, games with the family, delicious food, fun times with friends and times of quiet reflection. I came down with my usual holiday cold which made me stop and rest - I am convinced that this enforced rest is a message direct from the body to me.<br />
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This is a time of year that I love, I think that the dark evenings demand of us a time of reflection and planning. There is something about a new diary and all those promised days that makes you want to think hard about how you want to live.<br />
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For the past few years I have been adopting a word to guide me through the year. Last year it was simplify and I have used it all year to remind me that the simple ways are often the best - not just in my personal life but also my professional one. I plan to continue with this word but I am adding another one. The word is a Swedish one and something that I have recently read about in 'Kinfolk' magazine. It is<b> lagom</b>.<br />
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Literally translated it means "around the team" coming from the Vikings. As the men passed round the drinking horn full of mead each would take just enough so that there was enough for everyone. In modern Sweden lagom has come to mean 'just enough' - just enough food, work, time and emotion.<br />
I would like to live with just enough - no more, no less.<br />
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<i>I found the picture of the handsome fellow above as I was scrolling through my photos from last year. It was taken in Ireland last Easter I think he is gorgeous.</i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-37234794573137025212015-12-25T00:04:00.001+00:002016-01-02T18:49:31.842+00:00Life::Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Not a creature is stirring all through the house, presents are wrapped, mince pies are waiting and the candles are casting their beautiful glow. All that is left to do is to hope your days are merry and bright and to thank you for reading this year. To all of you happy Christmas x</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-38139835863360911342015-12-23T06:22:00.001+00:002016-01-02T18:48:42.031+00:00Family::Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am writing this in bed; it is 5.30 am and I have been awake for two hours now. This happens all the time at the moment. I am learning to embrace this time as a time to think and reflect. A time to count blessings. </div>
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Quietude - the house is so quiet in the early hours. Sometimes I just get up and listen to the ticking clock. I love the way it brings me into the moment and makes me recognise time. Sometimes I can actually feel the anxiety leave my body and the warmth of quiet spreads through me like a cup of coffee on a cold day.</div>
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Family - oh my family. What joy they bring. The way they band together, share jokes, support each other, tease each other, hold each other in their hearts. How did we make these beings and make them so well? They are the best of us. </div>
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I think that this is what mindfulness is for me - the taking stock, the knowing who I am the feeling that I am privileged just to be because I have so much and life is so good. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-87824604392252185152015-12-15T18:24:00.000+00:002016-01-02T18:48:18.273+00:00Life::Christmas <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Already we are half way through December and only 9 days away from the big one! I am really enjoying these days leading up to Christmas and making sure that I deal myself a great dose of perspective if I feel myself tensing up or getting stressed. I thought I would do a little roundup post of various things going on in my life/brain at the moment...</div>
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<b>Escaping</b> into the world of Saga and <a href="http://www.theweek.co.uk/66894/the-bridge-returns-to-bbc-saga-all-alone-in-series-3">The Bridge</a>. Does anyone else love this series? I am a little behind so say nothing but I have adored this series from the start and will miss it so much when it finishes.</div>
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<b>Making </b>wreaths aplenty! I have developed a love for wreath making that knows no bounds. there are currently four wreaths around my house and I cannot guarantee that there won't be more before the season ends. I have a<a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/quietcorner/christmas-wreath/"> pinterest board</a> dedicated to the art. Do go visit - there are some beauties on there.</div>
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<b>Eating</b> too much! The Christmas mince pie season is upon us and I love a mince pie. Have also plans to make some gingerbread and Nigella's<a href="http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/clementine-cake-2559"> Clementine Cake</a>. We make that one every Christmas.</div>
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<b>Smelling.</b> I have a few scents on the go in our house at the moment - pine from the tree, beeswax candles (what a beautiful scent that is) and clove oil in the burner. We have made a couple of visits to Ledbury recently where there is a wonderful Scandi shop called Hus & Hem. I dropped several hints whilst there including<a href="http://www.husandhem.co.uk/candles-candleholders/2810-skandinavisk-skog-scented-candle-forests.html"> this</a> candle. Please Santa, please.</div>
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<b>Collecting</b> plenty of pinecones - fire season is upon us. I like to make them into <a href="http://a-quiet-corner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/nature-in-home.html">firelighters</a> like I did here back in 2013!</div>
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<b>Reading. I</b> have two books I love to read at Christmas - 'A Christmas Carol' and Dylan Thomas' 'A Child's Christmas in Wales'. Both are such lovely books and great for getting into the Christmas spirit. I also thought<a href="http://www.seedsandstitches.com/blog1/2015/11/29/how-to-keep-stress-and-bankruptcy-at-bay-this-christmas-and-actually-enjoy-yourself"> this </a>Seeds and Stitches post (brilliant blog btw) on keeping stress down at this time of year was a great read.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-76084733383499913872015-12-03T17:18:00.001+00:002015-12-03T17:19:06.745+00:00Soul::Winter Dinners<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In celebration of winter and with the concept of hygge in mind, we have been making a point of inviting friends round for dinner a lot recently. What better way is there to brighten these dark winter nights than with the company of true friends? The whole point of these has been to have fun and as little stress as possible - no fancy pants cooking for us, As a result we have come up with a few guidelines that I thought I would share with you...</div>
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1) Do not go mad with the cleaning - you will only have to do it again the next day and anyway it will be mostly dark and dust cannot be seen in candle light. Tidying can be done quickly if necessary - it is the reason my house has an under-the-stairs cupboard; I just gather the detritus up, open the door and throw it in. Its kinda the opposite Marie Kondo's <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering/dp/1494558947"> 'Life-Changing Magic of Tidying'</a>. I try for that I really do but sometimes life gets messy. </div>
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2) Don't let your guests open that cupboard.</div>
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3) Take time with the table. This is a lovely task and if you are lucky it can be done earlier in the day and then left. If I manage to do this I spend the rest of the day tweaking and smiling and feeling very Nigella. Also I have discovered that If guests walk into a room where there is a beautiful, candlelit table they automatically go "Ohhh" and do not notice the dust.</div>
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4) KEEP THE FOOD SIMPLE. At this time of year a big dish of stew is an absolute treat. Or a fish pie. I try to cook something that I can prepare in the afternoon and get the kitchen cleared up before people come. I like the dishwasher to be empty at the start of the meal so that I can re-load as the meal goes on. That way I can <strike>drink as much as I want </strike>relax. My most successful meal recently was a spicy pork stew, green salad and the best bread I could buy. It was simple and everyone was happy. </div>
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5) Pudding - make a cake or buy a tart. The French are very happy to buy in desert, nuff said. You might love making desserts (I'm not so keen). If you do ignore me.</div>
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6) A big slice of a lovely cheese if an absolute treat and it keeps your friends around your table a little longer. This is my favourite part of the evening - everyone is mellow, conversation is easy and there is nothing else to do except enjoy. In our house Mark is in charge of hot drinks/whiskey etc, so I do nothing except enjoy the lovely thing we made happen.</div>
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7) If you don't want to do it all a pot luck is great. We did one a few weeks ago - one couple brought mulled wine & nibbles, and other bread & salad, another cheese and the other a pudding. I did the main. It was fab and something we all decided we'd make a regular event. </div>
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What are your tips for easy entertaining?</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-53578323454895207692015-11-27T16:25:00.002+00:002015-11-27T16:25:18.456+00:00Simplify::Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love Christmas. I totally buy into all of those ideas of togetherness and goodwill - who doesn't want more of that in the world? Anyway, I have decided that I can't really wait any longer and am going to start decorating this weekend as well as make my advent calendar. I have an idea that I am pretty excited about! The tree will wait another week but I feel we are close enough to December to make a start.</div>
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Simplify has been a watch word with me this year and I am determined to apply this to Christmas. Here are a few ideas that I plan to follow:</div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>Decorating</b></span> - I love to do this and it is never a chore! The tree and greenery are always central to my Christmas home. I love the smell and they appeal to the pagan inside of me. Smell is central to Christmas - wood smoke, oranges, rich spices and fir are all welcome ones. I also like many a candle and a sprinkling of sparkle. My head is full of pewter and copper nestling against dark green. </div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>Presents</b></span> - I have actually found that one of the pleasures of having older children is that there is less pressure to become a mass consumer. They get it and never ask for madly expensive presents or produce a list long enough to paper the chimney with. They all understand the pleasure of opening just a few gifts that are carefully chosen and are given with absolute love. For me nothing beats the delight of unwrapping a beautiful looking gift and finding a pampering treat inside - however big or small. Truly, it is the thought that counts.</div>
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Like many other bloggers I will be applying the present mantra: something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;"><b>Food </b></span>- Long gone are the days of food mountains in our house. This year I am making a pudding but I haven't made a Christmas Cake. It won't get eaten and it brings me a lot of stress. I will make the usual Clementine cake from the Domestic Goddess herself, but that is it. I am constantly amazed by the amount of food people pile in their trolleys at this time of year. I am not being frugal here - we will have many treats and cocktail recipes are occupying perhaps too much of my time - but I do not want to eat leftovers for a month and I hate throwing food away. That sounded a bit angrier than I intended...</div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999;">Giving</span></b> - It is, without doubt a joy to give and I love buying presents for family and friends. However I am going to try very hard not to get stressed about it. It is so easy to isn't it? I have had years when I have tried to make everything and have ended up practically (OK actually) crying as I tried to get everything done and looking perfect. It is absolutely fine to admit defeat and go online. There are some wonderful sites that sell beautiful things; they will be my refuge this year.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #999999;">Entertaining</span></b> - This is one area that I will not give up on. For me, Christmas is a time to open up your home and see as many people as possible That is what makes me happy. I have always found that however I feel before a visit from some lovely folk (picture the occasional mad cleaning/tidying frenzy) it is more than made up for by what follows. There is, in my book, nothing lovelier that sitting with friends and having great conversations, especially when food and wine is added to the mix.<br />
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I guess that brings me back to what I said at the start - Christmas is the season of togetherness and goodwill. The rest is just noise.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-49956007947452929872015-11-20T17:04:00.001+00:002015-11-24T14:34:07.548+00:00Home::The Dining Room<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Please excuse my messy kitchen!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-8715164288087282442015-11-09T16:17:00.001+00:002015-11-10T19:02:05.627+00:00Adventure::Windows, Arches and Doors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Well what a dark a gloomy day we are having in my part of the UK - the kind of day that makes you want to look at your holiday photos again and remind your self that little over a week ago you were wandering the streets of Bologna and it was much, much warmer.<br />
I love a good window or archway, don't you? Pictures of doors and windows fill my photo albums - I am so nosy and full of wonder about what is going on behind those shutters. The perpetual English student in me makes me want to invent stories; whole lives are being led there. On the final day, very pleasingly given that we were in Italy, the sound of a aria being sung flowed from a window - that one with the spider plants - and I had to stop and listen whilst the beauty of it filled the courtyard. It is those memories that live in your heart isn't it? That and the fact that I had to run to find my pack of boys who had moved on, bored of waiting for me to have my 'moment'. <i> </i><br />
I am finding it quite hard to leave Italy behind at the minute despite being excited about the months to come and it is pretty pleasing to escape this dark wind...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-54978021747177880582015-11-05T17:57:00.001+00:002015-11-05T17:57:39.192+00:00Adventures::Bologna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We had the most wonderful trip to Bologna over the half term holiday. It was everything a city trip to Italy should be - full of art, cool narrow streets, coffee, pizza, beautiful architecture and stylish people just owning the street. One of life's greatest pleasures is to wander the streets of a new city and think about what life would be like there. Every city has its own scent and feel. Bologna is cool, full of students. Although it is ancient it has a feeling of somewhere full of possibility, of ideas, of people who are moving forward. It is a place that is both old and at the same time, modern. <br />
I am overwhelmed with photographs that do nothing to capture the real memories. So I am left with this one; Fergus, framed by a door, just taking it all in.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-1504331570228772812015-10-13T12:30:00.001+01:002015-10-13T12:30:58.722+01:00Home::Finn's Room<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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During my decorating frenzy this summer I decorated Finn's room. It is a small room which he inherited from his brother (like so much else in his life). He is also a boy in transition and was about to move up to secondary school. Pale yellow walls were no longer cool for an important 11 year old...later this week he turns 12.<br />
I decorated whilst he was away with his dad and was able to do a huge declutter as well as paint. The last of my babies, we said goodbye to an enormous number of toys that were gathering dust and no more memories.<br />
Most of the room is painted white but I painted one a dramatic dark grey which he just loves. He has displayed all his favourite things on the shelves and we both love how everything stands out. He has a corner devoted to Harry Potter and he proudly displays his Slytherin poster (Oh the shame - I was, of course, sorted into Gryffindor).<br />
I love how this room really reflects Finn right now. Part of him still little boy - the one that loves to believe in the magic of story and imagination and another part who is beginning to try on a little 'cool' for size, arranging his hair, layering on the 'Lynx' (really what is that phase?) and listening to music. These are precious years - and important ones too; years of great change. Twelve years ago I birthed my baby; in six years he will be a man - it's amazing isn't it?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-90120950785935542922015-10-09T15:51:00.001+01:002015-10-09T15:51:18.970+01:00Cook::Sloe Gin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There is so much to love about autumn but one of my very favourite things is to wander the hedgerows seeing what I can forage. This appeals to me on two levels, one because it feeds all my fantasies about being in tune with nature and living the good life The other is about gathering nature's bounty to make sure that we will survive the winter. Obviously an essential winter nutrient would be sloe gin! </div>
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I picked the sloes a couple of weeks ago because I always like to freeze them because my father once told me that they were better after a frost. It also causes the skins to break slightly, saving you the tedious job of pricking them.Win. </div>
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<b><u>Sloe Gin</u></b><br />
500g sloes, washed and picked over<br />
250g sugar<br />
Peel of an orange<br />
Litregin<br />
Large jar.<br />
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Put everything into a large container and shake the jar to mix.<br />
You will need to keep turning the jar for a few weeks until all the sugar disappears. then let the flavours continue to develop - about three months in all.<br />
Finally strain the liquid through a muslin cloth and decant the nectar into bottles. Voila! It's Christmas! Chin chin!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-232752500171392742015-10-08T08:31:00.000+01:002015-10-08T08:31:11.459+01:00Soul::A Morning in Autumn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Almost every day I consider myself lucky to live somewhere as beautiful as Malvern. There are,of course, the hills but there are also the surrounding farms and the centre of the town offers us a theatre, a bookshop and some lovely shops and cafes. Then there is the expanse of common ground. The pictures above are taken at the end of my road on just one of the commons in Malvern.<br />
For the past couple of weeks I have been driving past the common at about 7.30 on my way to work. Every morning the sun had been slanting through the trees and the beauty of it has been literally breathtaking. How I had longed to stop the car and walk on the dew glistening grass and in and out of those sunbeams. Instead, eyes back on the road, I headed of to work.<br />
On Sunday morning I woke to a slant of sunshine coming through the bedroom curtains and was seized by the desire to get dressed and get out onto the common. Chugging down the coffee that my lovely boy always brings me, I pulled on some jeans and trainers, grabbed a scarf and my camera and set off down the road.<br />
Lord I was happy that I did! With hardly a soul about it felt like the middle of nowhere.<br />
The half an hour I spent outside feeling so peaceful and calm set me up for the day. It is a cliche but it is also a truism; standing in the sunshine, looking at the trees and listening to morning birdsong is just so good for the soul.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-15770988956484695202015-09-30T18:07:00.003+01:002015-09-30T18:08:17.864+01:00Home::Styling the Seasons::September<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">I love all the 'Styling The Seasons' posts and have joined in myself once or twice. In fact I always mean to join in but somehow months slip by and I haven't managed to find the time...but this month I am managing it! Even if it is in the dying hours of the month.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px;">So what does September mean to me? It is, like January, a reflection month; a time to look back at summer and forward to the autumn and (whisper it) Christmas. It also brings for me a new school year and so there are resolutions to be made about work. September is also a fruitful month - a time of glut and harvest and I have been foraging in the hedgerows for damsons, sloes and rose-hips although the latter are only destined for decoration. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">When I put together my mantel I was mindful of all these things. There are stones from the beach to go with my beautiful painting of the sea, hedgerow gatherings and books and letters. One of my very favourite things about the drawing in of the evenings is the lighting of candles. I am increasingly only using bees wax candles - their subtle scent is another element left over from summer and fills me with a sense of happy quietude. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">So there it is September on my mantel.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> Styling the Seasons, by </span><a href="http://www.apartmentapothecary.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #04b4ae; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Apartment Apothecary</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="http://www.lottsandlots.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #04b4ae; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Lotts and Lots</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.4px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">“Reflect the change of seasons and show those changes in your own home, by styling any surface (shelf, dining table, mantelpiece) with something you like to reflect the new month and what it means to you”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-7966727786049527512015-09-29T17:29:00.000+01:002015-09-29T17:29:25.806+01:00Adventures::Croft Castle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few weeks ago we went to one of our favourite NT places, <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croft-castle/">Croft Castle</a> in Herefordshire. About 40 minutes from us it is a beautiful place to set out to. It was a (rare) sunny August day and I had been begging for another visit; it had been a couple of years since I last went and there had been some changes.<br />
One of the new attractions that we loved was the natural playground and Finn, who has newly adopted a too cool for school type attitude recently, soon forgot his superior age and got stuck in.<br />
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The park and woodland is beautiful and there are so many walks you can do. We have a couple marked out that we definitely want to go back for. There are many viewpoints that either look east to Hereford and Worcestershire or west to the glorious Black Mountains.<br />
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But the bit I love the most is the walled garden. I am a complete sucker for a walled garden and this is a brilliant example of one. There are secret paths, beds for the kitchens, an orchard and deck chairs where you could flop and laze. Now, only a few weeks later, it is hard to imagine the warmth that encourages the gentle buzz and hum of insects, perfect background music to fall asleep to, but that is just what we did in that beautiful setting. Even Finn and his friend Joe were stilled momentarily by the soporific atmosphere. Really there are few nicer places than a well kept garden basking in the summer sun.<br />
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It was hard to leave such a lovely place, but promises were made to return soon and to enjoy its pleasures on a crisper day...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07386993540931420817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2857495856051347728.post-29555410405308209742015-09-25T17:33:00.002+01:002015-09-25T17:33:53.391+01:00Adventures::The Goodlife Experience<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Some times in life you experience something that makes you stop and reconsider. Last weekend we (Mark, Finn, his friend Spike and myself) set off for Harwarden in Flintshire to go to <a href="http://www.thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk/">The Good Life Experience</a>, a festival curated by Cerys Matthews (love her) and Charlie and Caroline Gladstone of <a href="http://www.pedlars.co.uk/">Pedlars </a>fame. I knew that it was going to be good having read so many positive reviews of the festival last year but I didn't know how much I would love the whole weekend.<br />
Firstly we hired a bell tent. This was a luxury and a necessity - I couldn't leave work until quite late and I really didn't want to set up camp in the dark...<br />
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I really want a bell tent; just saying.<br />
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Most of my first photos were taken early Saturday morning - we really had a campsite with a view.<br />
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Everything about the festival was beautiful, the landscape, the thoughtful way everything was set up, the weather and mostly the people. So many friendly faces were there and I loved meeting so many on line friends, some again and some for the first time. All of them were such beautiful women who I was so proud to meet and spend time with. There is something about a blogger isn't there?<br />
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What I loved most was the opportunity to spend time away from the norm. Often I am so busy and life seems to crowd in and not allow space to think and stretch. There are running lists in my head of things I want to do and read but I never settle to actually doing them. The great gift of this weekend was the chance to do and think. Oh it was heaven. The space to sketch (I love <a href="http://www.jenniemaizels.com/sketchbook-club/">Jennie Maizels</a> and I am joining her online sketchbook club this weekend), whittle a stick or two, dance to music, especially Revolucionarios Cubanos, Public Service Broadcasting and Big Boss Man and listen to some wonderful talks was just heaven.My watchword for this year has been 'simplify' and this weekend typified everything I hoped that word would stand for. It has had a deep effect on me - I am even more determined to strip back the clutter (mental and physical) from my life. I thought it was brilliant when Jennie said that we should get out our sketchbooks and sketch rather than get out our phones. YES!<br />
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Catrin Finch was sublime and the perfect Sunday morning listen.<br />
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The cooking demonstrations were fantastic - I loved this one by Henry Herbert - he was cooking campfire doughnuts which looked and smelt amazing...<br />
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I do wish I could have gone on the mushroom walk - look what they found! Amazing and so beautiful.<br />
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Now the question is - how do we get the good life feeling to stay until we get to go again next year? Any ideas?</div>
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