A special present

Isabella is a little under the weather today and as today is the one day in the week when she goes to a friend for a few hours, it means I have lost my work day. Hey ho, these things happen and it is lovely to snuggle up with her on the sofa while the rain pours down. Just need to shove down hard on that panic about stock-building and order sending and... enough, she is having a little snooze so I have a chance to post this blog before snuggling down again and that is just fine.



Today the postman brought this gorgeous parcel all for me! It is from the lovely Ginny at the Flour Loft and inside were this pretty card made by Ginny



a package of goodies



and THIS! Ginny and her friend Alice have written a book - a real and published book - and here it is! Lucy and I are going to make some of the projects and write a review; in fact, Lucy will insist on writing her own as she is so fiercly independent that she cannot see why I should merely pass on what she thinks, so watch this space. From a first look through the book seems absolutely bursting with great projects which cover a wide range and loads of helpful information. I have already earmarked two for us to make for a dear friend's 3rd birthday in a couple of weeks' time. Thank you so much Ginny - I am so thrilled and touched by your thoughtfulness, lovely lady x




And finally, Ginny also tagged me for some random facts which I have not got round to doing, so here they are:

1. I am known to say 'I love onions' often, a fact I did not realise until friends pointed it out to me. I love them any way they come - fried, roasted, caramelised, raw; I love them as leeks, spring, garlic, anything oniony really. and apparently I will quite happily ramble on about onions for hours (actually, any food really!).

2. Many of the females on my father's side of the family were white witches and my aunt - long dead now - once sat me down and told me I 'had the gift' too. My mother's side is full of stories of my Irish Grandmother's psychic ability which I also seem to have a bit of judging by the over-sensitivity to atmosphere, knowing who is going to 'phone, etc. Never really sure what one should do about such things so I do little, but can do a mean card reading when in the right mood! Oh, and I saw a ghost a couple of years ago when we were staying in a Nat Trust property for the weekend - most odd experience.

3. I often smell in colour - I forget the name for this right now. Doesn't everyone understand when I say something smells like scarlet?!!!

4. I have an absolute need for beauty and can generally find it anywhere I am. A piece of writing that can move me with its simplicity and honesty is my idea of heaven, music (Gorecki - just beautiful), a tiny flower, the colour of a leaf in autumn - so much all around if we just stop for a moment. Just picture the slowly unfolding twilight, the gentle deepening of dusk as the birds settle and silhouetted trees move gently against the velvety backdrop of an ochre streaked sky - how can that not move the soul? Lucky me to have a Davey who feels the same!

5. I am a dreadful worrier. I mostly worry about the children not world events which is terrible but I am so exhausted after worrying about seven children that I just can't fit much more in! I think it is all about low self-esteem (yes, that old cherry) and the endless need to make things 'better' for our children, but for the love of God can I not just stop!

6. I love almost everything about Autumn, from the colours to the mists, the fruits & berries (my fave), crackling fires, hot sunny days when we get them and crisp, chilly nights, even the rain today has me smiling as I watch the ducks enjoying it and the poor hen looking like a wet rag! Or perhaps I am just a bit chilled out today.



Well done for making it this far - off for a read of my new gorgeous book now before Isabella wakes.

Have a good day xx