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/

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/

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!

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.

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.

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.................

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!

  

I am amazed at this!

Brassy to Classy: My Free Chandelier