Tuesday, 28 December 2010

My gifts






Oh, I was spoilt this Christmas,  and here are my two favourite gifts from my Children,  a beautiful laquered tray, and a glass trinket box. And how is that for a box of chocolates my Daughter received!!!!!!! She sure needs help to eat those don't you think?  Have a Terrific Tuesday

Wednesday, 22 December 2010

Inspiration


I always find Better Homes and Gardens come up with simple but elegant ideas,  these festive decorations really caught my eye. Even the powder room didn't escape!! I especially love the ladder...

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Winter Twigs


This little wall hanging was going to be a Christmas decoration,  but when I put the little bristle bird together with the twiglet 'heart' and gingham,  I kinda liked it plain!


May undergo further change but for now I like it......

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Janette has a beautiful giveaway!


http://janettemalloryinteriordesign.blogspot.com/

Thursday, 25 November 2010

Christmas 'Mantels'


Better Homes and Gardens have produced 32 ideas for decorating mantels this season!  I like four of them a lot,  what do you think?

A rich burgundy inviting mantel, or an etherial light one? mmmm?  Or even one, using a garden gate (look carefully!)  And the candles give the last one a very intimate glow.

Where I come from wreaths were only used for funerals,  so I am thinking a heart shaped twiggy affair with some red roses,  maybe.....



Have a thoroughly happy Thursday!

Sunday, 21 November 2010

It's lovely to be Home!


I have been away for a while,  and it was so lovely to walk in my front door yesterday!!  Back to my little piece of peace and quiet!  I think my chalk board says it all!
Have a wonderful week all of you!
Now to catch up on all your blogs........

Friday, 5 November 2010

Starfish


I have seen so many lovely blogs including starfish in either a bathroom display or on a 'beach cottage' type of table display.  I have been on the lookout for a few of these,  and sourced them locally.  Pretty soon will be buying some.
There are two reasons I like starfish.  Firstly,  they look beautiful  Secondly,  in South Africa they represent a society that looks after orphaned children suffering from aids.They therefore represent hope.


Have a fabulous Friday!!

Wednesday, 3 November 2010

A.W.O.L!! and my Birthday!


Hello all you lovely bloggerettes, and bloggers!  I have been away for some weeks,  and am now catching up on all your lovely posts.  My humble offerings today are my new corkboard for my mini-office,  which is already filled with magazine articles and pictures.

Also it was my Birthday,  and I received the dandiest mittens and scarf from my Daughter.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

A long tailed story!


I have noticed that it has become fashionable to put little black mice and rats on your Halloween stairs/tables/vignettes.  I had a quiet chuckle to myself,  because,  I lived on the Isle of Man (In the Irish Sea) for quite some time.  The inhabitants of the island are very superstitious.  They seriously believe in fairies,  and leave messages for the fairies to ask for help,  pinned to trees at Fairy Bridge.  Even the famous TT motorbike riders go to fairy bridge to ask for help!
Anyway,  they believe that rats are bad fairies.  The word rat is not allowed to be uttered on the island.  They use the word 'long-tails' instead!  I learned this the hard way by uttering the word rat naively at work one day.  The whole office descended into a black silence.

Melanie is having a giveaway!


I wish I were in the same country, I would enter,  but just look at her new kitchen, and the stunning giveaway! http://prettiesandposies.blogspot.com/

Friday, 8 October 2010

Just passing by.....





I was trundling into town this morning,  past my favourite shop,  and noticed their Autumn window.  Took some quick photos,  alas,  not very good,  but you can see my point anyway!!!

Have a great weekend,  and please spare a prayer for my son on his Atlantic adventures!http://breezerunner.blogspot.com/

Monday, 4 October 2010

Loving animals


I see that it is the Feast of St Francis of Assissi in the United States:  Have a lovely day with your pets!

Friday, 1 October 2010

Samhain and Halloween

Everyone is getting ready for Halloween,  especially in the US where it is a great tradition.  It all began in Celtic times,  the Irish called it Samhain,  meaning roughly 'Summer's end'.  or the 'end of the harvest'.
Eventually, it became combined with All Saint's Day and All Hallow's E'en (becoming Halloween).
The Scottish, who called it Samhuin,  started using turnips - hollowing them out to light lanterns inside to ward off evil spirits.  I suppose that is where we began with pumkins?

It was considered that on 31st October,  the veil between life and the afterlife became thin,  and  I suppose that is where the 'spooky' stories began!

I am enjoying all your Halloween preparations!  Thank you all for sharing.

Thursday, 30 September 2010

Parasols and chandys


I was walking past a shop today,  and noticed they have hung parasols from the ceiling.  I thought I would love to have bought the white one and used it over my light in the bedroom above my bed!  Aren't they pretty!!

My son is on an Adventure!


My son is going on every man's dream adventure,  (and most mothers' scary bit, even when he's forty!!)  I will be keeping track on his blog: http://breezerunner.blogspot.com/
I did some research into my family tree,  and most of the men on my mother's side were seamen,  as far back as the 1600's so I suppose it is in his blood.

Saturday, 25 September 2010

Tablemats a la Francais, and china cakestands!!!



Galerie des Fleurs tablemat from CSN Stores

Victoria and Albert Brocade
Victoria and Albert Brompton Rose

Victoria and Albert Chinoiserie

Victoria and Albert cake stand with hatbox
 When I was asked to do a review for CSN Stores,  I looked through their online catalogue and was immediately drawn to the pretty china cake stands,  they satisfied my love of china and my love of old fashioned pretty roses etc.  I can think of plenty of ideas for the cake stands other than placing cupcakes on them.  For instance,  arranging jewellery on them in the bedroom.  Especially on the black Victoria and Albert 'Brocade'. Or in the bathroom,  with cotton balls and little soaps.  There are endless possibilities!

The fact that they come in 'hatboxes' makes me happy too,  as I love boxes, especially round ones.

My attention was drawn to the tablemats which are so shabby chic/French.  I love them,  and might just buy them myself!

Have a fantastic weekend.  Autumn is definitely here,  a nip in the air,  falling leaves, an anticipation of Winter.  Like life,  all is change.................

Friday, 24 September 2010

CSN Review


I am pretty sure you have all heard of CSN stores by now,  on both sides of the pond!  They stock everything from wardrobes  to kitchen gadgets.  They have asked me to review one of their products,  so pretty soon I will be doing that. Hope you are having a really cool Friday!
  

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

I am amazed at this!

Brassy to Classy: My Free Chandelier

Friday, 10 September 2010

I love getting things in the mail!


This week I acquired two things which made my heart sing!!  A little cushion for my bed, and a pretty little decoupaged table.  Can't decide whether to put the little table in the bedroom or the lounge!  Have a wonderful weekend ......

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

6 year old's artist board!


My six year old grand-child has her own board in my kitchen where she puts up/takes down her daily art.  This pic I took was during the world cup,  when she soooo carefully copied a South African flag.  I really should make a proper board (this one is polystyrene) but one that she can easily lift and 'do her thing' with.  Any ideas from you creative ladies?

Have a wonderful Wednesday

Thursday, 26 August 2010

Mo has a giveaway, it's gorgeous!!



Tuesday, 24 August 2010

Summer is at it's close


The August winds are blowing, the leaves are beginning to fall, a little gold, a little brown. It's time to put away the picnic basket, but one last vignette with it before I do, Hope your Tuesday is going well..........



Monday, 23 August 2010

A new lamp


Thank goodness my camera is now fixed!  I have bought a new lamp and am just testing my camera on it.  Seems to be working fine,  thank goodness.  Thank you for your lovely comments about my Brother.
Have a wonderful week!

Sunday, 22 August 2010

My Big Brother

Ana at A Petite Cottage wanted to know the story of my Brother.  Over forty years ago,  I discovered I had a brother in England.  I was brought up in Zimbabwe,  and in an attempt to find him,  I wrote a letter which I sent via my Granny.  Having heard nothing for all those years,  I had all but given up.  However,  in 2009 I decided to trace my family tree via Genes Re-united.  As it happens,  he decided to do the same thing!!  The website came up with a 'hot match' for us.  I tentatively sent an e-mail.  I received a very moving e-mail back.  It was indeed my long lost Brother.  But who was he?  What was he like?  How had he been brought up?  Would we like each other?  How did he sound? What accent did he have? All I knew is that he was now 73 years of age and used to be a policeman.  We sent pages of e-mails to each other,  and eventually plucked up the courage to phone.  He sounded lovely,  uncannily like my Father. 

A rash decision indeed,  but after about three months,  I decided I would make the journey by train up to Derbyshire to meet him.  Heart in mouth,  I set off,  scared I would get lost on the Underground,  scared he would not like me.

Arriving at the little station at Uttoxeter,  there he was!  How did he get so BIG!!   What a wonderful person.  Probably the only truly happy person I have had the priveledge of meeting in my life.  And guess what,  he still has my letter written in 1965!  Here he is Ana,  we speak every Sunday evening on the phone.

Such frustration!

My camera 'died' on me.  Isn't that so sad!!  So no pics this weekend.  I am, however, learning a lot from you lovely ladies (and gentleman) and am now learning how to use Digital Scrapbook Artist.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Blessings for a great week ahead.

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Tracey at French Larkspur has a gorgeous giveaway!


Please take a look,  such lovely things!! Jewellery from the Ardent Sparrow.  Here's hoping!

http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com/2010/08/beautiful-jewelry-and-giveaway.html

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

This and that


A little amorous French poetry, a few flowers in the kitchen, to brighten up a gloomy English day!