This isn't officially my mantlepiece - it's our kitchen windowsill but I'm sure you will look past this, this time!
Is it only me who loves Cow Parsley? I do get such strange looks when I stop the car to pick some on the verges. It grows wild and free, is full of creepy crawlies and smells disgusting but I love it's simple beauty. It used to be known as Queen Anne's Lace (I think..) and I used to enjoy reading about it in
Little Grey Rabbit Makes Lace when I was a tiny girl (and now as a not so tiny girl!). Those Little Grey Rabbit books are simply wonderful and I urge everyone to read one (at least!).
To mask the horrid smell I have discovered these plug in air fresheners. Well discovered is not quite the right word. ..I have always had plug in air fresheners because, as you know I'm a sucker for scents; but they have brought out a new type.
It has 3 separate scents which it changes every 45 minutes. I'm really enjoying them especially as they were half price!
I'm also enjoying my crosswords at the moment. I have just started taking Tom to his drum lesson and it means a 30 minute wait in the car...by myself....alone..for uninterrupted me time! I take a drink, put on Radio 2 (forgive me Chris Martin) and sit and try and do the 'Mail On Sunday's' You' magazine crossword. It has become a highlight of my week and all day on Tuesdays ( with thirty 4/5 year olds) I remind myself that I will have a full 30 minutes of peace later on!
So, if you're in sunny Torquay and happen by a blonde lady sitting alone in a red car (with a Cath Kidston sticker) on a Tuesday from 6.30 to 7pm - nose buried in a book....give me a knock as I'm probably stuck on a clue and would welcome an interruption!