Hello Lovely Quaintrelles

 Why have I never heard of this before? Surely all my friends are Quaintrelles?

International Women's Day

 I'm not really sure if I applaud this day of recognition for women, celebrating everything we have and do achieve. Should we have need of a day to celebrate half our species? I'm not sure.

Although once thinking about women who inspire me, or mean something to me and my life, I find filed away in my brain many many many women. Here are a few.

My dearest chum Linda who passed away in 2020.

Brave and Strong Trailblazers

Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, self portrait in a straw hat c1782.

Delightful painting of Madame Perregaux by the above artist c1789

Joni Mitchell

The divine Linda McCartney

A very warm welcome to my latest follower Gill who took the plunge and clicked on the follow button. Thank you.

I'm Still Here

 Well my 'radio silence' has not been because of anything dreadful or indeed anything wonderfully exciting, simply procrastination. I probably have lots to share but keep mulling over any content I think may be of interest, until I decide no, too mundane, I'll wait for inspiration.

I'm biting the bullet today and posting regardless of the lack of world shattering interesting content.

In a rather nice turn of events the Mr has decided to reduce his working week to three days which means he and I are able to spend more time together. We are aiming to make greater use of our National Trust cards and get out at least once a week for a grand day out. We would also love to visit various interesting spots overnight, the only issue is finding a loving cat sitter to look after our chonky cat Morgana.

Happily a lovely girl I work with has been helping us out with that and she and Morgana have been spending cosy evenings and nights together.

A few weeks ago the Mr and I visited an extraordinary place in Wales called Portmeirion. I feel sure most of you will have heard of it. Designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century, it has Riviera inspired multi coloured houses, huge ornamental gardens and sits on a gorgeous bay. You can actually stay in the 'Village', but it was so early in the season we decided not to on this occasion.

 

Apparently it was a place Brian Epstein visited many times and guess what? My fabulous Guru George Harrison stayed there for his 50th birthday. A magical and mysterious place.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to my latest follower 'Stitchy Woman'. It pleases me greatly to feel a few more folk are part of my online family. Could I ask that if you visit regularly that you also press the follow button. I seem to get thousands of visits but don't know who you are:)

Celebrating LOVE

 

My Beloved George and His Father In Simpatico

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Joy With Her Keeper at The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

To All Best Friends

And if money were no object I would hot foot it to Philip Mould's Mayfair art establishment to secure my Valentine's heart's desire. This totally romantic painting (pastel) by Rosalba Carriera c1725, "Cleopatra Holding a Pearl". Totally swoon worthy, no? It's enough to make a gal's heart melt.

Burns Night Fun

 The Mr and I are out galavanting tonight. We've booked tickets to a Burns night at a local historic house, Thornbridge Hall.

Photo By Frances Milburn

The dress code is glam, dress to impress. I've pulled out a sensational Northern Lights green skirt that I bought in Norway a couple of years ago that I have never worn. Coupled with a lightweight knit with gold details on the sleeves and a pair of boots also not worn before. They have a slight iridescence when they catch the light, very on trend, ha ha. I do have some Camilla Elphick shoes that would look gorgeous with this skirt but unfortunately they do not fit too well and keep slipping off. Sadly I have to face the fact that I need to sell them on. No point in keep getting them out of their box, trying them on and sighing when I can't walk in them. Brutal realisation.

I love all the fanfare and Scottishness of a Burns night supper. Very excitingly there will be pipers and an address to the haggis. Burns wrote the address in 1786. All very thrilling. The Mr is especially thrilled with the Whisky flight that will be served with the meal, doubly so, as he will be drinking mine too. A cab has been ordered!

Gareth Morrison addresses the Haggis in this Youtube short. Fabulous.

The Maestro Has A Spa Day

 

Oh how happy is The Maestro now he has had a spruce up? The poor love had some very old twine stuck in his throat, filthy eyes and a nasty dirty robe.

I hand washed his little garment in an especially mild detergent and carefully dried it. I used barely moist cotton buds to clean his glass eyes, ears and hands. For the rest of him, fabric etc I used something called a smoke sponge.

I volunteer in a textile department within a local stately home, and this type of sponge is fabulous for cleaning antique and important fabrics. Good to know my friends if any of you have similar work to do. The idea is it lifts the grime without wetting any delicate precious materials. It can be used on books as well, so I'm told.

I'm away now to put his little robe back on and to clean his metamorphic Victorian dolls chair which happily came with him. A Marionette needs a choice of chairs methinks.

May I Introduce The Maestro

 My it has been perishing cold has it not? Our trusty log burner has been wonderful and a nice hot water bottle has been most welcome during the chilly nights. For some strange reason I have had some lower back pain which has been annoyingly persistent. I think it may be due to the fact that I have not been able to engage in my usual exercise classes and swims after having flu over the Christams season. My dear friends I have seized up ! Happily this morning I returned to my Aqua Oki class, yes, we sing (loudly) as we cavort, a lot of fun.

In other news I have been using up some of my mixed fruit stash, inherited from my late mother-in-law.  I don't often make cakes but decided it was time for a fruit cake, to have with a good pot of tea or two. A simple recipe from the kitchens of HRH Queen Camilla. This particular fruit mix had cranberries and apricots in, very tasty.

I also wanted to show you the latest member of our family. I found him at a local auction house, and after my initial fear of his grumpy chops, I found him most friendly and needless to say charming, with a lovely energy about him. The name Mephisto popped into my head, but having subsequently researched who Mephisto was , I have decided to call him Maestro. He is Victorian and quite a large chap with enormous hands. I told my son I would smudge Maestro with a large amount of sage before he settles into our home. Our son is convinced I am bringing the Devil in, ha ha. But I am smitten. What do you think?