Living the Dream ...

Not so long ago, in a women's magazine found not so far away, I read about the modern-day myth of the 'capsule wardrobe'.  I have long attempted to recreate this ideal spending far too much money on the quest and still,  when I am asked to travel for a week taking only hand baggage,  I find that nothing I have matches.  Many of you will ask why I bother to try and the answer to this is Northern Man.  Northern Man likes to be first off the plane, at the front of the queue for passport control, through customs and at the car rental desk before the back row in economy have even thought about unbuckling their seatbelts.  He hates waiting and loathes queuing so he believes that hand baggage will quicken the passage through and out of an airport.  This is true but it doesn't solve the problem I have of not wanting to live in one pair of jeans for a week. From all of this, you will have guessed that we have been travelling again so I expect no sympathy from you for my unresolved struggle with my packing problem.    Here are some of the highlights ...

We stopped in Saint Augustine (pronounced as in langoustine), Florida and came across the delightful Dow Museum of Historic Houses which has been created by the simple conceit of enclosing an entire block of the town and opening its 'historic' houses to the public.  If I sound a  little snide about this it is because some of the houses in the museum were actually built after 1845, which is when our house dates from!  But, the reason I am mentioning the museum is not the buildings but the grounds, which had been turned into a retreat of shady nooks and quiet courtyards filled with moss covered trees, fountains and statues...

Some of the houses are furnished ....

I loved this shadow box with its arrangement of wool flowers.  I've been searching in vain for instructions to make flowers like this from wool.

We travelled on to the gracious city of Savannah with its squares and streets filled with huge live oaks draped in Spanish moss (it ain't Spanish and it ain't moss) .....

Beautiful buildings everywhere .....

Little bits of fun ....

And movie history ....

This is where Forrest Gump sat to say 'my momma always said life was like a box of chocolates'.

And then to glorious Charleston where every turn you make opens up another delightful view.  Charleston single houses are narrow and deep with one end turned to the street.  They are one room wide and have verandas running the length of the house to catch the breeze on hot summer days.  The verandas are known as piazzas and, as well as providing outdoor living space, they shade the windows of the house from the afternoon sun.  But, and here's the fun bit, many of the houses have front doors which open onto to the piazza, not the house itself.

From the front ...

..

... and from behind.

Some of the plots have been subdivided which leads to an interesting numbering of houses ....

So, as you can see, there was lots for me to see and explore while Northern Man played golf with the locals ......

Oh, the weather outside is frightful ....

So, it was an excellent opportunity yesterday to sort out stock for Shepton Mallet Flea Market which is on next Sunday.  It also gives me the chance to show you what I've bought over the last two months, although pickings have been thin so don't get too excited!

Lovely vintage chenille and velvet tablecloths (from Chiswick car boot sale)

Barbola-style candlesticks and powder bowl (Malvern Flea Market)

Carved wooden god .....

and - most appropriately for the current weather - a model polar bear wrapped up warm in a rabbit skin coat.

As you can see in the picture with the blue candlesticks, I've been having fun kniting flowers and making them into garlands.  I wired them together,  added artificial leaves and covered over the resultant mess with florist's tape.  It came out quite well so I did another one - little white roses - and then ....

....  knitted a bunch of larger roses.  Who cares if it goes on snowing when there's so much to do .....

They said there'll be snow at Christmas They said there'll be peace on Earth But instead, it just kept on raining .....

One of the things I would normally have done during a two week school break was lots of walking.  But, because of the inclement weather, the fields around us became shallow lakes and the paths were turned to mire so I spent most of the time indoors and did a lot of knitting.  When we were in Rome last autumn we bought these little chocolate dragee bunches of flowers as gifts ....

... and they got me thinking.

As I wander round car boot sales I often buy things knowing that one day I will use them for something.  Then they sit in a box waiting patiently for inspiration to strike.  Well, a quick search through the pile of things that time forgot in the garage produced these ....

..... which I bought years ago.  I used a lot of them to decorate garlands but these were left over.  I beheaded them ....

..... and added knitted roses which are a redesigned version of Lesley Stanfield's rose from 100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet. 

And then, of course, I got to thinking that I could make my own bunches just using wire and artificial leaves ....

I knew those odd bits would come in useful one day ....

Happy New Year Post

A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of you.  It is time to review our last year's resolutions and to make some new ones. Last year mine were:-

1. Not to buy anything at a flea market, antique fair or car boot sale that does not fit into a shopping bag (I have a very capacious shopping bag)

2.  To buy nothing at all, of any size or shape, that is painted with gloss paint

3. To use up some of the infamous yarn stash   

I didn't do too badly, although I did slip occasionally.  So I have decided to carry these three over into this year and make them into two-year habit-busters.

Then, of course, there are all the other resolutions which we all make and break almost immediately:  lose weight, cut down on drinking alcohol, learn Spanish, take up tap dancing, climb Kilimanjaro for charity - you know the sort of thing.  

There was an article in The Times on 1st January which should give us pause for thought.   Among the conclusions were that we should give up fruit (too much sugar) and eat veggies instead.  I wonder how peas are going to taste on my breakfast meusli.  We should forget the steady 30 minutes a day of exercise and instead do short bursts of 20 seconds of intense activity a few times a week.  No further details are given about this so I'll leave it to your imaginations.   And, quite the worst, 'The new evidence ... is that tiny amounts of alcohol increase your risk of cancer.  If a woman gets through only a very reasonable one bottle of wine a week, her risk of breast cancer goes up by 10 per cent'.  The article goes on to suggest that to balance benefits against risks, we should be drinking no more than 'a quarter of a very modest glass of wine' per day and that half a glass of wine might be described as 'bingeing'.

So, to add to the miserable weather we've been having, the floods, the recession, the fiscal cliff, and having to get through the next 3 months before the car boots start again, I now have to give up drinking.  Happy New Year!

Here be monsters .....

A long while ago, when the nights did not draw in so early and there was still a little warmth in the autumn air,  Northern Man and I went to Rome for a few days.  We did all the usual things:  side-stepped the ubiquitous umbrella salesmen, stood in inconvenient places to read the guide book, stared at ruins with no real idea what they were, guessed which wine to drink from the extensive lists and ate pizza.  We also, and this is not in the guide books, went monster hunting.  Here are a just a few....

... and my particular favourite ...

So, my head filled with the idea of mythical beasts, I decided to have another go at a dragon.  Here he is ...

And, when he gets tired of hunting princesses, he can sit down for a rest ...

Youngest Child said 'Can I have a guineau pig for Christmas?' and I said 'A turkey is generally considered more traditional'..

... well, it is panto season.

I thought I'd share this email with you.

HEALTH & SAFETY AND EQUALITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS

The Rocking Song
Little Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;
We will lend a coat of fur,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you,
We will rock you, rock you, rock you:

Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, both due to risk of allergy to animal fur and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative. Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before rocking commences.

Jingle Bells
Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way

A risk assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to travel on. The risk assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Please note, permission must be gained from landowners before entering their fields. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds Watched
While shepherds watched
Their flocks by night
All seated on the ground
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around

The union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches health and safety regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided, therefore benches, stools and orthopedic chairs are now available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via CCTV cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.
Please note, the Angel of the Lord is reminded that before shining his/her glory all around s /he must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him,
you would even say it glows.

You are advised that under the Equal Opportunities for All policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, it will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented and sanctions – including suspension on full pay - will be considered whilst this investigation takes place.

Little Donkey
Little donkey, little donkey on the dusty road
Got to keep on plodding onwards with your precious load

The RSPCA have issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry, also included in the guidelines is guidance regarding how often to feed the donkey and how many rest breaks are required over a four hour plodding period.
Please note that due to the increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks to prevent inhalation of any airborne particles.
The donkey has expressed being offended at being labeled 'little'. To comment upon his height or lack thereof may be considered an infringement of his equine rights.

We Three Kings
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'cash for gold' etc, gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate due to the potential risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. A suggested gift alternative would be to make a donation to a worthy cause in the recipient's name or perhaps give a gift voucher. We would not advise that the traversing kings rely on navigation by stars in order to reach their destinations and suggest the use of RAC route finder or satellite navigation, which will provide the quickest route and advice regarding fuel consumption. Please note as per the guidelines from the RSPCA for Mr Donkey, the camels carrying the three kings of Orient will require regular food and rest breaks. Face masks for the three kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of dust from the camels' hooves.

Away in a Manger No Crib for a bed

This is definitely one for Social Services.

Now a little bit of Christmas crafting.  I've been meaning to have a go at knitting a robin for some time now.  I started out with some roosting doves which gave the shape (more or less) that I was after.  Here they are warming themselves in the hearth ....

... and then added the colours .....

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very Happy New Year to you all.
 

But at my back I always hear, Time's wingèd chariot hurrying near

Christmas is on its way again.  It's amazing how each year it charges up to me from the front undisguised, blatantly flaunting its lights, tinsel, music and tv specials, and I don't see it!  It's a fixed point in the calendar, immovable as middle-aged stomach fat.  And despite all this warning, I never feel ready for it.  Partly, this is a reluctance to make up my mind about buying presents:  I see a potential gift but don't buy it because I may find something I like more, and then panic because that particular part of my present list isn't crossed off.  I wonder if there's a self-help book I could get hold of or a class I could attend?  That would make a good present from someone .....

I have been doing a little painting ....

and knitting ....

and more crochet .....

It's not surprising I don't have time to think about Christmas presents.