Happy New Year

Like many of you, my dears, the male guardian and I are wondering where the last year has gone. Not but five minutes ago did it seem like we were opening the door on a new year, than we are once more stood teetering on the brink of another. As is oft quoted, tempus fugit, dear souls, tempts fugit.

I do so enjoy looking back over the year, to revisit our time, and to consider the new year ahead for it allows one the opportunity to enjoy the highs and consider the lows, to reassess and re-evaluate that which is important to us. As we move forward, there are works still to be undertaken on our little home and maintenance in the gardens require consideration. Plans will be made and executed as funds allow, as well as the importance of including time for enjoyment, rest and recuperation from one's daily toil in one's annual schedule.

I am most fortunate to have made some changes to my daily toil over this last year which means I am able to include a four mile walk in to my schedule, and I must say, my dears, how delightful it has proved. I really do enjoy my daily constitutional, at a brisk pace, of course. It really is quite the ticket, blowing away the proverbial cobwebs and getting the blood flowing. Such a small change but one that raises those endorphins. Added to this is the mileage one undertakes as part of the daily toil, all in all, a bonus for one's mental and physical health. 

I am slowly and tortuously learning to play a musical instrument; I am by no means quick and it is certainly torture for anyone in the vicinity but I will persevere, whilst I am on my own that is. 
The regular get together will two dear friends and colleagues to learn the art of dressmaking continues with a date already set for the new year. These are such fun occasions and afford time away from our professional toils to enjoy ourselves, and that we do in great abundance. I am slowly progressing with my skills in the art of knitting, which I also enjoy, and plan to continue to increase
the standard of garment I can produce. Such fun things to do and also of benefit to "the little grey cells" as dear Monsieur Poirot was apt to say. 

Most importantly, is the time the male guardian and I are able to spend enjoying each other's company around our professional toil commitments. After all these years, we still enjoy each other's company and love to laugh at really quite the most childish of things. It is however this ability to laugh at the absurd together that has allowed us to weather life's storms.  Those moments of joy are like hidden treasures each day, to be sought and savoured as one can, along with my oft quoted simple pleasures. 

We wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Work hard, enjoy life's simple pleasures and laugh often, dear friends.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, my dears. I do so hope you are having a joyful and peaceful day. The male guardian is once more at his professional toil, doing his duty, and therefore we rose early to see in the day, after a late evening upon the electronic device talking face to face with the darling twin sister and partner. It was a late night, dear souls, but, oh, how we did laugh, such food for the soul. It was such fun and a joy to be able to wish them a Merry Christmas in person, so to speak, them being a full eight hours ahead of us in time. 

Prior to this, and before the male guardian completed his day of toil, I attended the glorious Carols in the Cowshed held every Christmas Eve by a lovely local Farming family. As some of you may remember, I have spoken of this before and do so every year I attend for it is such a beautiful, little family service and reminds one of the real message of Christmas. Christmas just is not Christmas without it and I am most saddened when my own professional toil prevents me from attending. The atmosphere really cannot be given full credit in words. Yesterday I was perched high up in the hay bale amphitheater next to a large enclosure of cows and calves nestled in fresh bedding. Over 350 people were snugly fitted in with standing room only. The local Vicar took us through the Nativity story complete with audience participation in sounds and actions, interspersed with some classical festive carols sung with boisterous enthusiasm to make the heart sing. A short, gentle reminder  of those less fortunate and, as proceedings came to an end, warm mince pies were offered along with chocolates for the children, as well as a collection for the homeless. It is a local tradition that I hope will continue for many years and can only add my thanks to the many others to the Farming family who host the event each year. 

Once again, my dear friends, have a Merry Christmas and may all your dreams come true xx

Winter solstice and Nativity

'Tis the male guardian's favourite day of the winter season, for the winter solstice is the shortest day and hereafter the days do lengthen, minute by minute. We are, it has to be said, chalk and cheese with regards to the weather, for I do so enjoy winter nights, with the log burner alight, warm garments and hunkering down, whereas the male guardian likes nothing better than blazing sunshine and basking in the heat of the sun, much like a lizard (only in relation to the heat, you understand). Opposites attract they do say and there must be some truth in the maxim as we have celebrated our 35th Anniversary this very year.

I have enjoyed this evening, whilst the male guardian is once more at toil, with festive music in the background, a crackling fire and an evening of gift wrapping in preparation for the festivities. Added to these simple pleasures is a good quality scented candle to fill the air with evocatively festive aromas. Oh, how I do so love a quality scented candle, dear souls.  I like to take time to consider how to decorate a festive gift in my own inimitable style. I am fond of  simple colour schemes that denote the season in which we celebrate Christmas, therefore natural greenery more often than not features, along with dashes of red to embellish. Such delightful fun, my dears. 

Last evening the male guardian and I were most delighted to be visited by some of our family. During the visit we were able to view the children's Nativity on an electrical device -  well, pon my soul, dear friends, how charming it all looked with all the children participating. There were even some delightful birds represented, and so well portrayed alongside Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. 
I do remember the importance of the Nativity play from my own childhood. My dear twin sister was always the more extrovert and was Mary, the much coveted part for many a young lady. I, myself, was not so keen as to be centre stage, however, was one year cast as the Angel Gabriel on account of my rather bright and plentiful supply of fiery red hair topped off with a rather becoming gold tinsel halo hovering above my head fashioned from a wire coat hanger, a rather spangly golden dress and, importantly, a pair of large angel wings fashioned from more wire and white stockings, stretched over the wire and coated in glitter that left a glittering trail up the aisle of the local church and in to the pulpit where I perched upon a wooden box during the performance in all my golden glittery splendour for all to see. What five year old young lady would not be tempted by such a glorious ensemble (and it has to be said, a somewhat forthright, bossy twin sister who told me I had to accept the part for fear of jeopardising her own coveted role - dear sister, I do so hope you remember this little bit of "persuasion" as well as I do).
I do not know what was more attractive, the clash of gold and glitter next to my orange hair or the bright puce shade of my face as realisation dawned as to the sheer number of eyes upon us during the performance; ne'er again was it repeated, dear souls, ne'er again.

Mercury light and evergreens

The festive season is nigh upon us thus, this very day has seen some simple decorations made and displayed to celebrate the season. Two ivy clad wreaths have been made, one for the front entrance, simply enhanced with a large red bow, the other adorned with three beautifully crafted felt robins nestling in its branches for the dining room. Small displays of evergreens, plus clementines, bay leaves, pine cones, pewter and mercury glass find the decorations completed. A simple theme embracing the colours of the season, as well as a little gleam of metal or mercury glass, is all our small Cottage needs to make one feel prepared for the festivities. 

All around us, and on our respective journeys to our professional toil, the male guardian and I are able to view the many glittering displays our fellow men and woman have prepared for Christmas. Perhaps my favourites are the simple small white lights lightly entwined amongst the garden greenery on one or two pieces. How delicate, and so very pretty they do look. 

The male guardian and I took the carriage this morn to a local town to purchase a few necessities, where a brass band enhanced the season with some beautifully played seasonal pieces, whilst shoppers browsed the wares of the the local shops and small market taking place. Mince pies were being offered and people collecting for a local charity, all adding to the atmosphere and seasonal build up. 

All that is left is to ensure that Christmas gifts are wrapped, the necessary selected foodstuffs purchased and a well stocked log store is at our disposal. What more could one want, my dears.

All change....

December has gripped us with the promise of the festivities and thrown in the inclement weather for free; wind and rain, snow and ice, Jack Frost nipping at your toes. That be said, who does not love to build a log fire, close the curtains against the darkening sky, and lie warm and snug as the storm rages on. To enjoy gloriously tasty, hot morsels, prepared to sustain one or deliciously fragrant teacakes and a mug of something soothing after coming in from the biting winds. Whilst many around me despise winter, I, dear souls, glory in it. What is not to like, for it is the perfect excuse to hunker down and enjoy the peace that comes with winter, the downtime before it all begins again in spring. To settle down for an afternoon by the fire seems so much more appropriate when nought can be done outside, the perfect excuse to finish a garment or enjoy the book one has longed to read, to be lost in its pages with not a twinge of unease at a job waiting to be done.

This very weekend has seen me spending an afternoon with visitors, embibbing savoury scones and tea, listening whilst the visitors chattered nineteen to the dozen. An evening allowing one's brain to disengage in the peace and calm of home whilst the male guardian is at his professional toil and my hands engaged in continuing the second garment for my dear friend. Today has seen a number of quiet chores undertaken whilst the male guardian sleeps after a very busy night spent working, then a warming meal taken before relaxing quietly for the evening. The Christmas cards are ready for posting, a task I do so enjoy. I do believe there is nought so delightful than receiving a handwritten letter, card or missive in these modern times, especially as the festive season approaches.

Preparations have begun and the larder inspected to ensure a fine tasty morsel or two are in readiness for Christmas. I do so love the small traditions the male guardian and I continue as the season approaches; sending a small but select number of Christmas cards, considered gifts or tokens for one's family and friends, a few tasty morsels to be enjoyed, Christmas carols and time to remember. 

A stitch in time....

Oh, my, my, dear souls, I am beside myself with joy for I have spent another day in the presence of my dear friend who is quite the most patient of tutors in the art of the seamstress. I am quite delighted to tell you that I have finished making an article of clothing for myself. During the process I learnt how to plan and cut a garment from my chosen fabric, to press correctly, overlock with a special piece of  machinery, undertake facings in a contrasting fabric, use interfacing, put in a zip, make a zip backing in a contrasting fabric, use twin needles, top stitching and pockets. My friend was also most diligent in teaching me how to use my machine, and do you know, my dears, I learnt so much; why I never knew one machine could do so much, such a revelation. I am most keen to put in to practice that which I learnt, particularly, it has to be said, after paying a visit to a most charming establishment  in a nearby town that sold the most exquisite of fabrics. Now, whilst taken with said fabrics, I am not so bold as to use them for a first garment therefore I will use a more utilitarian fabric, with perhaps a small quantity of my chosen exquisite fabric for facings. I do feel, dear reader,  this to be the wiser course to take for such a novice as I. 

Such simple pleasure to be had in making something for oneself and achieving something that had erstwhile been considered beyond one's ability. I have my dear friend to thank for this for which I am truly grateful. Her attention to detail is second to none and I really do feel that I have learnt from an expert,  as well as producing a garment to a standard I would not have thought possible before this. So very delightful and joyously fun. 

People....

I have in, both my personal and professional lives over the years, met such interesting people. People, or indeed, human beings, really are such an interesting group. I am, dear souls, really quite fascinated by them, how they interact and communicate, with a soupçon of emotion in the mix, all adding to the lifeblood of  man. It is this that makes people watching quite so compulsive, through the peaks and troughs of success and failure to the mundanity of everyday life. There are times however, when one really does need to switch off the antennae and disengage from those around you to ensure the stability of the equilibrium. I am always reminded at times like these of that famous, yet some consider, quirky song by that wonderful group of people who sang "always look on the bright side of life". Whilst considered part of the tomfoolery of their show, it's message is really quite clear; if you have not considered the lyrics, may I recommend them. A further much favoured recommendation is the poem by Rudyard Kipling "If you have the ability to keep your head when all around you are losing theirs....", a poem one holds great store in, for it resonates in many situations and walks of life, both personal and professional for many people.

Literature, be it in the form of poetry, lyrics, quotations and the like, can be relied upon to guide one through life, if we do but consider that which is in front of us, played out through humanity. Why, one really has little need of technology to keep oneself amused, for, in the words of the Bard, "all the world's a stage; and the men and women in it merely players".

Super moons and fat quarters

Mooching, my dears, is clearly one of those new fangled words but, it has to be said, one that fits the bill so beautifully. I have, dear reader, spent a delightful few hours in a nearby small town mooching; meandering too and fro, purchasing a few small necessities but also taking the opportunity to review the wares on offer in a number of small, but select establishments, and oh, what fun it has been. I have   attempted to purchase our favourite brand of tea cake at a well known food store (sadly, only to be disappointed), fingered fabrics, oohing and aahing at the choice available and, ahem, purchased a small number of fat quarters to use as facings in some quite delicious colours and patterns. I was also most fortunate to stumble across a very nice new living store with some rather delicious items for the home. I must say, what a beautiful little selection of items they had indeeed, dear reader, which I did, unbelievably, manage to resist, so close to the festive season as we are. It was after an initial review of said store that I looked up from the items on offer to find myself face to face with a work colleague of many years past who has opened said establishment with her daughter. Well, what a very nice surprise indeed and so delightful to see how she and her daughter have utilised their very good taste and ethical stance to open such a smart little store. I do so hope that they do well, no doubt helped in a very small way by some purchases I am sure I will be making in the not too distant future. 

I am awaiting, in anticipation, the rising of the super moon that we are, it appears, due to be dazzled with on Sunday afternoon. Why, dear souls, I do believe it to be one of many natural wonders that should not be missed, if at all possible. A clear, crisp night sky emblazoned with a glowing winters super moon, quite the ticket for a December afternoon, do you not agree. Why, the very thought of a fine cup of restorative coffee and a tea cake after time spent outside admiring the spectacle fair sets one's taste buds tingling in response to the very thought of what is to come. Such excitement. We do so hope the English weather complies.