Posy

My Nice Letter Book

Last week I found a second-hand book called, 'Everything I've Ever Done That Worked' by Lesley Garner.  It is a series of short essays to help you become more content and lead a happier life. As I flicked through it I was surprised to see that I already did one of her suggestions and that was to keep a 'Nice Letter File'.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the kind comments that are left on this blog; it is something that never fails to touch me that there are people who actually read this and are motivated to contribute themselves.  But there is something else; a wonderful bonus which enriches my life; I have received the nicest, most generous emails. I'm probably like a lot of woman when I tell you that I spend too much time comparing myself to others - feeling that I never quite hit the mark, that it so often hinders me from trying anything new - and that when I am fortunate to be complimented I want to reply with a, "Yeah but.."

I'm trying hard not to do "yeah buts.." and to help me Anth suggested doing something he heard about on a course or such like; that I try and remember the good things that people have said to me over the years and store them away as 'mental lockets.'  Only problem is I forget them! But over the 2 years of blogging I have received the sweetest of emails so I've been able to print them out and stick them in this..

..my 'Nice Letter' book, (well emails and comments to be exact!) and I want to encourage you to do the same. So all those meaningful little cards, letters and emails, keep them and make yourself a book or even a box that you can dip into every time you feel a.."Yeah but.." slip into your head.  I practically carry mine around!!

Now, I'm so conscious of this post sounding all wrong - that I'm showing off or fishing for compliments. I'm not. I just want to encourage you for encouraging me, and to start a book that could also double as a place to keep your thrifted, sparkly clip earrings!

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 10 :: My GHDs

My life has been transformed since the 25th December 2007 when Father Christmas bought the Goble girls a wonderful present. A pair of GHD's stylers. (And for my dearest Mother who might be reading this, it stands for Good Hair Day) And yes I've had a few good hair days as they are simply the best styler around.  Now, you can use them to straighten or curl your hair..I can do the straight thing it's just the curl that needs a little practice.

Here should be perfect ringlets..mmm..it's OK but it did take a loonnngg time and then an hour or 2 later..

..they're almost gone!  (Actually in real life it looks straighter - the photo is not a true representation!)  The whole thing makes me smile because at school I ask the children if they have seen where my curls have gone!  They are totally flummoxed as am I - I'm sure there is a secret curl stealer waiting for me as I've tried hair spray etc and they still disappear!

But it has brought a new dimension to my day as I decide whether to go straight or curly as I was just a 'get-out-of-bed-girl'  before.  Expensive, yes but worth it? Oh yes. So if you see some blonde curls lying around, let me know because they'll be mine, no doubt about it!

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 9 :: Ironing My New Embroidered Tablecloths

Yes, you heard me right, ironing.  Well, I'm not that cheerful about just ordinary ironing, ooh no - it has to be gorgeous ironing.  You know embroidered lovelies.

It was during a casual conversation at school that I mentioned my absolute passion for bedlinen and anything embroidered and that I even loved, yes loved, starching and ironing my linen, pillowcases and tablecloths. When most of the assembled company had exclaimed with shock, a very kind somebody wondered if I would like their tablecloths; their poor neglected unironed, unstarched babies residing in the bottom of her cupboard.

"Of course not," was my reply...YEAH RIGHT!  I could barely sleep that night with anticipation. The next morning I found a bag of beauties in the classroom waiting for me and all day I kept saying to her and to anyone who'd listen, "Does she have any idea of what she's given me?!"

So I've spent today ironing. Ironing with a grateful heart.  Grateful that what is worthless to one person is precious to another; and that you never know when you might have that certain conversation or that special find in a Charity Shop.

Only one slight problem...where oh where shall I put them!?

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 8 :: The Return Of Hot Cross Buns

And to add to the delicious hot, buttered experience...my most recent finds, a silver knife with a pearl handle (50p) and a rosie plate (25p)...all so wonderfully yummy, wouldn't you agree?

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 7 :: New Twirly, Swirly Skirts

Oh dear, oh dear. I had visions of the photos I wanted...my floaty skirt catching the breeze as I swirl around in the watery Spring sun. Instead I had a cold, irate, grumpy daughter being asked 3 times to stand in our neglected, grey garden; taking photos of her crazy mother trying to emulate a supermodel. The new skirt has spent most of the day up around my ears as the cold February wind has been quite blustery today. Alice and I have been to Totnes to visit Amanda and at one point Alice had to stand behind me just to shield the whole of Totnes town from getting an eyeful of my knickers. I'm cringing with embarrassment and what happens if Chris Martin is reading this - he'll never love me now..!

I have recently bought 2 lovely skirts, (though the above skirt is my second favourite of the two!) and I don't really buy many clothes, so it is a bit of an event in our house..mainly by me driving everyone mad by saying every 10 minutes, "Are you sure this looks alright?" Anyway, just in case you think I'm totally vain I'm showing you the out takes...well I might as well as I've blown it with Chris now. Maybe I'll do a follow up with the other skirt; that's if you all could bear it!

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 6 :: Comedy Wool

In the last week or 2 I have been subjected to a lot of sniggering and disbelieving looks. And the reason for all this hilarity? My ball of wool. Yes, wool; I think I own 'The World's Biggest, Most Enormous Ball Of Wool' ever.

The reason is that I've started another granny (yes, I know I know, I've still got 3 crochet blankets to finish one,  two and three) but I wanted to do a more turquoise and deep pink one and in the only wool shop in the area they only had this GIGANTIC 500g one. So It had to be.

Can you get a feel of the hugeness of it? It's sitting next to a 50g ball and an apple - just to help you get the perspective! 

So when I pulled out my crochet in the staff room it was met with cries of, "Oh my goodness Jane, what have you got?!" And the children all sat with open mouths when Mrs Goble did her own 'Show and Tell' - but what has got me more excited are my red and green crochet hooks.

Yeah, I'm a funny creature. I would buy hooks I already have (size wise) just to have coloured ones instead. They are metal and I found them in a wonderful shop called Spotlight, in New Zealand. I would much rather use a coloured one instead of a dull grey one. I only bought 3 (2 size 4mm and 1 size 3.75mm) and wish I had bought more as I've never seen them in the UK.

So with my huge turquoise ball of wool and my red and green hooks, my crochet has caught the attention of a certain boy...

..so naughty..

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 5 :: A New Bag

A new Cath Kidston no less..

..lucky, lucky girl.

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 4 :: Our daily 'date'

Over the winter months Anth and I have found ourselves enjoying a little, daily rendezvous. It starts with me at 5.55pm whizzing around the sitting room tidying, laying a fire, lighting candles, putting scented oils in my light bulb ring and then pausing the 6 O'Clock News. Pausing the 6 O'Clock News? Yes, pausing the News. We have Sky + which is the most fantastic invention ever, and as Anth is always in later than 6pm I pause it until he can join me on the sofa in front of the fire. Then it's on with the News and out with our laptops.  How funny we must look! But I love it, our little oasis at the end of a busy day - that has just evolved over the last few months, unplanned but now so precious.

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 3 :: Making something new from something old (i.e junk!)

It's taken a good 7 months to get around to 'doing' my jewellery box. Well, it's hardly a box, more of a very old medicine cabinet and it was a particularly yucky one at that.

I found it at the Rubbish Dump or as they like to call it, the Recycling Centre. I love this place as they salvage things that could be resold and I have lost count of the things I have found there.  I smile to myself when certain friends are visiting and are eating from a plate found there, unbeknown to them because they would be horrified! The cabinet was absolutely filthy and really rusty and I seriously thought twice about buying it but I was inspired by this picture of one of the bedrooms in my most favourite house, and went ahead and bought it for a couple of pounds (if that).  It then got quite an incredulous reception at home and for once I thought that they maybe right. It was so bad I didn't even take a 'before' picture.  It's first coat of gloss paint was pink but I didn't like it - and I can't remember why as it was 7 months ago - so then it got painted white. It lived on the girls' window sill until 2 days ago when I thought I really must do something with it.

I only had my ears pierced 14 months ago and my earrings have been living in a tiny, wooden box, (also found at the dump) and finding a matching pair in a hurry was proving difficult.

So with some leftover wallpaper, the odd flowery tea cup and 2 ribbons to hook my dangly earring on I am, at last, in business.

So, the family now make all the right noises when taken to see it and I'm really looking forward to using it...and maybe buying something other than green!

P.S  I can't believe that as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant in the Foundation Stage, where counting beyond 3 is a requirement; that I miscounted my Blogiversary! I've only been blogging for 2 years not 3! Oops..it feels like 3..hope no one from school noticed!

February's Reasons to be Cheerful # 2 :: Unexpected parcels in the post

Arriving home from New Zealand, I had 2 wonderful packages waiting for me.  I was incredibly fortunate to win another blog giveaway; I just can't believe that I have won 2 in recent weeks and this time it was a Babooshka Doll  made by Beata from the wonderful blog Rosehip.

I'm in awe of her sewing skills and her colourful blog is one of my favourites.  Isn't she beautiful?

Next, and equally fantastic, was a parcel from Laurie.

For the 3 years (yes, I celebrated my 3rd blogiversary in January) I have been blogging, I have had many people say that I would have loved the magazine 'Victoria'.  It had stopped being published a few years back but recently been revived and kind Laurie sent me a copy and another magazine called Country Home. Everyone was right - I love Victoria and Country Home, and all the other goodies she generously sent. Thank you, Laurie.

I love getting mail ( email too) and as soon as I hear the letterbox rattle I'm racing to the door, even when I'm in someone else's house too (mad). I think that's why I love to subscribe to certain magazines because I love seeing them lying on our, not so clean as this picture, doormat!  So I'm ever hopeful that the rest of February will bring the unexpected. Nice unexpected, not bills - unexpected or not!

February's Reasons to be Cheerful

Inspired by Amanda's post I thought I would join in her February Ten and post my own reasons for February cheerfulness for the next 10 days. So here goes.  I've just realised that this isn't a hard task for me as even though I hold the title of 'World Champion of Fretting' and daily get overwhelmed by self doubt and sillinesses, I do very easily find joy in the simplest of things, and for that I'm grateful.

February = spring bulbs and I found some grape hyacinths yesterday, my favourite, and so these are dotted around the house.

Even my new jug has been put to use. Talking of jugs, thank you for all your recent comments.  I do have such good intentions in responding to them all but realise I fall short of the mark on a daily basis. I'm sorry.  Some days are just too busy so please forgive me.  I love hearing your voices, and am very grateful that you do leave such generous words. You are the best 'Blog Ladies' and I appreciate you all.

So, if there's time today go search for a pot of tiny daffodils, or anything that makes your heart glad; pop it in a pretty container (a couple of large jugs will go down nicely!) sit back and dream of Spring.

To my Valentine

A lot of bridges I shouldn't be so scared to move. 

A lot of lessons I shouldn't be so scared to learn.

If I could lose the worst of me, hold on to what remains.

And all I need to know is that you treasure me.

And help me be the most that I can be.

And turn into the one last missing piece,

When it all comes down.

A lot of people don't seem to understand my point of view.

It doesn't matter because I love the way I am with you.

Because you can take the worst of me, hold on to what remains. 

And all I need to know is that you treasure me.

And help me be the most that I can be.

And turn into the one last missing piece,

When it all comes down.

I love, I love, I love the way you let me,

Love you, love you, love you like I do.

And all I need to know is that you treasure me.

And help me be the most that I can be.

And turn into the one last missing piece.

When it all comes down...    

"All I Need To Know"  by Emma Bunton         

Listen here.   

Hurry home, Anty, I'm waiting for you with such longing...xx            

Gathering :: Part 3

The small, black wheels on my red carry-on bag, reverberated on Auckland Airport's marble floors as Anthony and I walked through the Departure Lounge. Oh, an escalator.  Anth scooped up my bag and plonked it on the moving staircase.  Before I could think about what I was saying my slightly stressed, higher-than-usual voice rang out,

"CAREFUL, I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF LARGE JUGS IN THERE!"

My voice had fallen again when I said the ' in there' part realising that I had spoken in too loud a voice. The people's heads had spun around to see who the lady was with the large jugs...(jugs in the UK can be used as a slang word for bosoms!)  My 21 year old nephew thought I said drugs, which was probably less unusual and was cringing with embarrassment and I'm sure that was the longest escalator ride of his life!

Yes, I managed to carry 2 beautiful rose pattern jugs, across the world, stuffed with knickers, vintage hankies and embroidered tray cloths to protect them. Just look at what I collected..

..can you see my large jugs?!  This was my total haul.  Oh what wonderful hunting I had.  My long-suffering brother-in-law and his partner sat outside a junk shop on the hottest day I have ever known in my life (approx 40C) and saw me walk back to the car carrying 3 double, woolen blankets.  They could hardly believe their eyes and I was met with a, "Cold are you?"

The next day I went back and bought 4 more and then spent the rest of the holiday fretting about how I was going to get all of this home.  The blankets deserve a photo of their own, which I will do sometime soon. They are pastel, checked, woolen blankets which I bought for a couple of dollars and then saw some in a 'vintage' shop selling for about $90 each!! If you look closely there are some lilac ones under the Laura Ashley Clarissa duvet cover next to my large jugs!  Oh dear I had better stop all the jug talk and move onto the book find of the year so far..

Oh my, you should have heard me exclaim when I picked this up in Whitcoulls in New Plymouth. My oohs and arhhs were so loud that Anth had to shush me as he was quite embarrassed by my fuss. I seem to spend my life embarrassing my family, but this time a fuss is called for.  This book is wonderful; all about the New Zealand woman of the past and the history and stories behind their crafts. Reviews here and here. They describe it much better than me.  I didn't buy it then as I was worried about the cost and the fairly big size of it; but later after thinking about it a lot I realised that it was part of my daughters' heritage and even though they have absolutely no interest in 'my old lady stuff' now, I'm ever hopeful that one day they will. So I bought it (the cover alone is worth the price) and it also joined my jugs in my hand luggage.

So there we have it. I bought mainly linen and in case you're wondering those large jugs of mine remained intact and now sit prettily on our mantelpiece...and yes, I have removed the knickers from inside!

Family Love :: Part 2

Warning: This post is in grave danger of sounding all warm and fuzzy. Read on at your own risk!

Aren't we a smiley bunch? We had just spent the afternoon walking around Pukekura Park and had stopped for an ice cream. The whole trip was one long laugh with lots of new jokes, and the old ones never far away too. Anth has a lovely family who have a very strong sense of loyalty, belonging and 'family' - you know, the stuff you see in movies. 

And here are the happy couple, who's 60th Wedding Anniversary was the reason we went over to NZ and I had those Cath Kidston tissue moments.  This photo makes me smile for 2 reasons, the first one because it was taken on the actual anniversary which was a wonderful day; and second because if you look carefully you will see that Ngaire is wearing 2 blouses!  She and I went shopping that afternoon and whilst I was going through every embroidered tablecloth and vintage hankie in a shop aptly called Vintage Linen & Home, Ngaire wandered next door and bought the blouse in the photo for 70p ($2).  When we got home she couldn't wait to try it on so put it over the blouse she was wearing, got distracted and then forgot to take it off.  It was only later, after the family barbeque that we realised that she had 2 on! In that heat too!

And next up with more family-love moments are my 2 favourites photos of my brother-in-laws.  First my sweet Anth with his just-as-sweet taller brother.

And then this wonderful photo of Chris at the beach in Whangamata, his most favourite of places.  Chris, an avid surfer, must have sea water running through his veins instead of blood.  I caught him as he was gazing out with longing before succumbing to the 2nd swim of the day (too rough to surf).

And it wasn't just Wedding Anniversaries we celebrated, we had a 1st Birthday and a 50th (ummm I'm not spilling the beans on who!) which all played their part in making it the most happiest of family times. I spent time with them all individually, which was really special, particularly when I took my 21 year old nephew and 25 year old neice out, just me and them, thrifting, and they actually enjoyed it!

Oh I do so miss them all...

Paradise Found :: Part One

Mount Taranaki, New Plymouth

It's not everyday I find myself flying over a mountain; and it's not everyday that I feel quite lost for words...but I am.  I don't know where to begin in describing our 3 week trip to New Zealand; do I start with the journey (endless), the family (simply delicious), the sun (relentless), my vintage stash (fairly big but could have been bigger), the food (wonderful), the price of diesel (approx 35p a litre!!) and time spent with my exquisite husband (heavenly).  Yes, it was a truly wonderful holiday which even a week later, has left my mind in a muddle. My body has taken days to shake off the jet lag, which on arrival in NZ only took a day to acclimatise. But there you go, you have to have something to balance all this goodness don't you?

Right, I'll start at the beginning with a teary goodbye to the children, then a few hours later a 'squeezing Anth's hand a little too tight, dabbing my eyes silently with a Cath Kidston tissue' sort of take-off.  The tissues were soon forgotten when I awoke a few hours later and spent time marveling at the snowy mountains of Mongolia which in turn somehow turned into the Gobi Dessert.

A change of plane at Seoul and another 12 hours later we caught our first glimpse of New Zealand as we flew into Auckland.

"Oh, oh look Anth - it's New Zea!" (my pet name for NZ)

"Anth, Anth look! Aww, it's your home. Ahh, it's New Zea! Are tears pricking your eyes? Anth...it's the first glimpse...Anth, can't you put that down?"

It became quite clear as our holiday progressed that when in a plane, Anth has to have his nose in a Sudoku book! We went on no less than 8 flights, one plane sat only 19 and had a open cock-pit...ummm...have I mentioned before that flying doesn't come quite as naturally to me as other people and that flight almost had the Cath Kidston tissue scenario. But no, I saved my Cath tissues for when we were on another flight (plane seated 50, closed cock-pit) and the plane fell about 200 feet with turbulence and other passengers started screaming!) But my sweetie just sat doing his Sudoku.

I managed the flying better than I thought I would as I, with my camera to hand, was truly transfixed by each passing country and ocean (even being able to spot 9 Chinese fishing boats lit with lanterns in the Yellow Sea.)

Anth's sister and family picked us up at a very hot, humid Auckland

and within a couple of hours of being in the on the other side  of the world, I found myself in Laura Ashley buying a duvet cover - like you do....well, you can take the girl out of Britain but you can't take Britain out of the the girl.

More later..