Wednesday 31 March 2010

easter prep

Easter preparations are gently underway.


This mostly consists of buying some little eggs. And who can resist polka dot lime green and turquoise foil-wrapped eggs? I can't. I've already started eating them. I'm getting a head start before my visitor arrives.

What are your Easter plans?

Tuesday 30 March 2010

quiet

The wind is howling and the rain is pouring. Spring, where are you? I'm a little out of sync since the clocks changed, and feeling rather quiet, choosing to lose myself in some poetry.

For visual inspiration I'm looking at some photographs I took last week in my favourite woods.


Blue skies, sunshine, shadows, and the added bonus of wood smoke drifting through the trees.




The season of walking in the woods is upon me. I've been waiting oh-so-long for this moment. Too wet and muddy in winter, they're a joy in spring and summer, and on into autumn. And soon...soon, the bluebells will show their nodding blue heads.

Sunday 28 March 2010

for elspeth


I am so sad to read of the death of Elspeth Thompson. I will miss her warm, generous and engaging writing and her beautiful photographs. She was an inspiration to me in many ways. My thoughts are with her family.

Friday 26 March 2010

stamp love

I've been home a few days, but I'm not quite up to speed yet. I had a lovely time with family and friends. Sometimes it's good to step away from your everyday life for a while - it's a gentle way of being reminded just how good it is. I've come home feeling refreshed and invigorated, and so grateful for my quiet and simple life by the sea. It suits me perfectly. I don't think I have the energy or desire for the hustle and bustle of the south east anymore. I didn't even take any photographs (well, just three, and that was when I was nearly home again).

All I have to show you are some new stamps. The Battersea stamps.


The cute factor alone is enough to make me smile!

Tuesday 16 March 2010

days like these

Busy days
Blurry days
Days where one day drifts into the next without my noticing.
Days where I'm noticing spring around me, along with the remnants of a winter passed. Hope for all things new, along with the haunting beauty of life gone by.


Trewidden Belle coming into flower


(Inspired by Alice)
All photos taken at Trewidden Garden

Thank you to everyone who has dropped by over the last couple of weeks. I'm sorry I've not kept up with responding to comments and emails. Blurry days indeed...

I'm pausing now until next week. A family visit up country beckons. Walter and I are off on a jaunt!

Thursday 11 March 2010

the red donkey

Late afternoon sun, driving home from a meeting, and a spark of red catches my eye in the field to my right. I had to stop. Who can resist taking a photo of a donkey wearing a red rug? Horses wear rugs, (the term rug, as opposed to blanket or coat, comes from the New Zealand Rug) but I've never seen a donkey in one. Even better that it's red.


I love donkeys. It's those beautiful furry ears.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

afternoon tea

Sunday afternoon called for tea and cake (of the simplest kind). I've been nibbling the fruits of my labours these last few days - a batch of welsh cakes. There's nothing like a spot of baking and eating for soothing the soul.


If you're not familar with welsh cakes, then do make some. Like pancakes, they're cooked on a hot griddle, and are best when deeply caramelized on each side. They are light and puffy and quite delicious on their own, especially warm from the griddle. Otherwise split them open and spread with butter. Enjoy with a large mug of tea.

Welsh Cakes
(adapted from various recipes)

225g self-raising flour, sieved
110g cold salted butter, cubed
80g caster sugar
pinch of nutmeg (or mixed spice)
a generous handful of currants or raisins or sultanas
1 egg, beaten
milk, if needed

Rub the butter and flour together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the sugar, nutmeg, sultanas and egg, and mix to form a dough. Loosen with a little milk if needed.

Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/2 cm thick, and cut into rounds. Cook on a hot griddle (or heavy-based frying pan) for 2-3 mins each side, until nicely browned. Eat!


* * * * *

Bessie was my foster dog who ended up staying forever (two years plus) ..... she was a sweet girl who had had a traumatic life and she hated being photographed, which is why she rarely featured here. Mostly, she liked to sleep, and to dream, and to lay in the sun. We miss her.

Sunday 7 March 2010

Saturday 6 March 2010

bessie

Unknown - 5 March 2010

Go gently, sweet girl.

Thursday 4 March 2010

paper source

I've been wanting to get some glassine paper in sheets, to use for wrapping. Sadly, my local supplier closed their warehouse before I could get my toe through the door. However, I have sourced the next best thing.




Waxed paper from my local butchers. Lovely thick large sheets, which they buy in by the ream. They were very happy to sell me a little bundle for a nominal fee, even though they did raise an eyebrow or two when I said I wanted it for wrapping parcels of the present variety, as opposed to food....

Monday 1 March 2010

pottering

A weekend forecast of heavy rain never materialised. Instead, warm and almost balmy would best describe my sunday. Mild enough to be pottering in the garden for the afternoon, starting a little clear-up. Mostly this involved scraping moss off the patio, and pulling out the weeds from all the little crevices between the paving slabs.

There was even a pause for tea outside. Out came the 'gardening mug' - an old enamel camping mug, a little worn and battered around the edges, and all the better for it.


Today my achey muscles are reminding me that I did more bending, stretching and crouching in a single afternoon than I have all winter. And it feels good!

Finally, spring is making her presence felt.