Practical Magic 2

 Me in 'formal attire' just before watching Practical Magic 2. Ha ha.

Doings

 Last Saturday I took the train to the dreaded Manchester to attend an event and to catch up with my lovely son. He has lived in Manchester for many years so I have been often. I do love the galleries and some of the eateries but oh my gosh the noise and the behaviour in the streets. I came home feeling he needed rescuing, I feel he wouldn't agree. Ah my, the generation gap.

For some strange reason I had been invited to attend a meet up for Miniml customers. I have been slowly swopping up my 'normal' household cleaning and washing products for ones supplied by Miniml. The products are fabulous and not only do a good job, are value for money but also make me feel as though I'm protecting my and my family's health. I did a lot of research when I decided to opt for a better choice of household products, Miniml came up trumps.

Anyhoo the event was great fun. A small mixed group of customers were asked to select some new fragrances for future products. We could then make a candle holder, (the event was held in a small pottery), which we could choose to have filled with a candle made with our favourite fragrance. The Miniml team were super nice and they will send me my candle once the pot has been fired.

It doesn't look very exciting I know, but the clay had already been marbled through with different pigments, so no additional decoration was needed. The potter helping us said the different tones would be revealed after it had been in the kiln. I'll show you it once it arrives. I'm going to be saving it for Christmas, very exciting.

I also made a new artistic discovery this week, an artist who I had never seen before. I'm smitten.

Gary Bunt (1957-2025) born in East Peckham. A musician, an artist and so much more. His paintings have bundles of quintessential British charm. How have I never found him before?

Childhood Memories

 

You could be forgiven for thinking these two pictures were taken in some lush Mediterranean city. But no ! It's Clapham Junction no less.

 When I was a child it was always very exciting to visit the hallowed halls of our local department store, Arding and Hobbs. When something very special was needed or when on the rare occasion as children my brother and I were taken to see Santa  Claus it was always here.

I have a fondness for the building. It was built in the late 19th century and had a bit of remodelling after a fire in the early part of the 20th century. It stands now as an Edwardian, Baroque influenced edifice.

It sadly closed its doors during covid. No longer a department store, it holds many little concessions and the top floor now houses a luxury members club. These pictures are of the roof terrace. I cannot tell you how excited I was to visit last weekend with the Mr and my brother, who still lives locally.

How as a child could I ever have imagined being on top of the roof at Arding and Hobbs? It is quite astonishing to me. 

An early photo of the building. What history!

Make Do & Mend A Thrifty Post

 Years ago I followed a wonderful blogger called ' A Thrifty Mrs'.  She would pass on pearls of wisdom that were honestly life changing. She set me on the road of good value and no waste. I miss her thoughtful  contributions. I believe she sold the rights to her brand and probably went on to better things or at least things that required less dedication and hard work.

I have oft mentioned my resentment of companies and manufacturers who are constantly dipping their beaks in my pockets. Items that are poor value or which do not last a reasonable time, really get my goat!

 This week I took offence with my shower puff. I use a plastic puff, I know not good, but the sustainable ones don't work and frankly become unpleasant after a short time.

The problem with my chosen puff is that after a while it starts to unravel, then of course is not so efficient and starts to annoy me. At which point in the past I have purchased another. You can see where this is going.

Well no more I say! I have drawn a line in the sand, so to speak , and I have learnt from the all wise Youtube how to reassemble my puffs. A quiet revelation. Most satisfying.

Plus I have been darning my favourite pure wool socks in preparation for the cooler months, yes they will come.

These socks are ultra thick and cosy but wear through in one particular spot. So now I darn and don't purchase new pairs.

As they say up T'North, money saved is money earned. What thrifty tips would you pass on to other folk at this time of year? Do tell.

Happisburgh Norfolk

 This poor quaint English village is slowly falling into the sea. I believe it has been doing so for many decades now. Measures have been taken over the years to stop the erosion but alas it still progresses.

There are signs along the coastal areas to warn folk of imminent danger.

Famous for it's red and white striped lighthouse built in 1790, and St. Mary's, a beautiful 15th century church.

I was very taken with the medieval stone octagonal font, featuring carvings of Angels, symbols of the Evangelists and my personal favourite, Wildmen (woodwoses) and funny faced adorable Lions.

It would be so sad if all this was lost to the sea. Let's hope the local powers that be continue to fight the erosion.

Harvest Time

 More to do today. My chamomile beds were a fail this year, but I've found some that have self seeded elswhere in the garden. Yippee.

Beatrix Potter 160 Years

 Good morning dear hearts. Did I remember to tell you that I joined a little known society early on in the year? A little society celebrating a Great Briton.

Beatrix Potter had an enormous impact on my childhood, her little books took me to magical places which were an especial delight to me. A complete contrast to the bookless house I grew up in. It was years before I fully realised everything she had achieved in her life and what a wonderful human being she was and how in so many ways she touched so many lives.

This July 28th sees the 160 year anniversary of her birth and of course is a major cause for celebration. Emma Bridgewater who has a special place in her heart for Beatrix Potter has produced a lovely Peter Rabbit collection. It launched yesterday and I flew to the website to order a keepsake. I wasn't planning on making such a big purchase, but................

An heirloom piece to add to my collection. I'm super pleased with it. Not that I will need to employ it any time soon :)

If you have a chance do pop over to the Beatrix Potter Society website beatrixpotter.org.uk

Wiveton Hall A Jacobean Manor House

 

The Mr and I visited the wonderful Wiveton Hall in Norfolk last week. Actually it was a tour of the grounds and gardens led by the most eccentric and lovely man, Desmond MacCarthy, whose family have owned the house for several generations. 

He charmed and captivated the large group of about forty people with stories and tales of the past. It felt like he held our collective hands and took us back in time to meet the interesting and characterful folk who share his history with the house and gardens.

An eminent story teller and a deeply kind and authentic man, and as the website says the Hall is a place that is genuinely special, quietly beautiful and entirely itself. I don't think the word magical is too strong.

If you plan on visiting Norfolk please do try and book ahead for one of Desmond's tours. He will delight you and restore your faith in humanity.

Hello and a very warm welcome to Wanda a new follower, thank you muchly for pressing the Follow button.

Current Mood

Bette Davis

 

Summer Solstice Blessings Dear Friends

 

We're off to a Summer Solstice celebration this afternoon. It's being held in the orchard that once belonged to my lovely chum Linda who passed away in 2020. The couple who bought the house invited us last year as well, such a kindness. I might even feel brave enough to go inside the cottage this time.

I'll be making a headdress with flowers from our garden and I'll be wearing a tomato dress. Yes a dress covered in tomatoes! Purhased in the colder months for a snip. It will be it's first outing today.

Bright blessings to you all, enjoy your revels.

My Aunt Is Very Giddy

 Recognise this gorgeous waterfront villa? Well if you're a fan of the Tv programme The Durrells you probably will. I loved every little thing about that programme and I do believe it may be coming back to our screens in some other format soon, fingers crossed.

The villa popped up on a lovely blog I follow written by the talented Pip Lincolne. The villa is available to rent through Whitedream villas Corfu. But you may wish to sit down to hear the price. 3k-4k per night. Yikes!!!!

Back On The Market

 Hello lovely fellow bloggers. Trumpet fanfare...... our house is finally back on the market. We've had three viewings so far and all have been positive. We are awaiting the last viewees (is that a word or am I making up my own language again?) to get back to us. They have told our estate agents they will get back by Thursday afternoon, we are assuming they are viewing another house before that. Please cross everything for us.

In the meantime I have continued to declutter and yes you've guessed it bought a few more things. Nothing extravagant of course, you know me for the thrifty gal I am.

I couldn't resist this delightful butler tray table, which m'dears I obtained by swopping some charity shop purchases for it. So in fact the table cost me very little money.

I also received a little parcel of treats in the post yesterday, all very exciting.

I signed up to the Bonne Maman newsletter a while ago and they sent me an offer I couldn't refuse. This box full of delicious tiny pots of jams will be coming with us to our AirBnb when we visit Norfolk soon. Small things that make the everyday a little bit more special.

Finally

 

I have wanted one of these amazing swing seats for years. I have been saving up and we bought one and installed it last weekend. It's not an exaggeration to say that it calls to me, ha ha. And it's name? The Idler.

 Well I have been a busy bee and should by rights have been blogging profusely, but somehow things got in the way. Sounds like a cue for a song :)

The Mr and I had four glorious days in Athens as we celebrated his birthday. Yes it was warm, yes it was beautiful, but oh my the people were out of this world. I speak a few words of Greek and it seemed to enchant the lovely folk we met. I want to learn more before we return, as return we surely will.

We stayed at The Hotel Grande Bretagne and I have to say it is the best hotel we have ever stayed in. Quite exceptional in every way, with the view of  The Acropolis from the rooftop restaurant to the atmospheric bar and Winter lounge which was in fact a delightful palm court.

Both of us have been very busy in the garden as we prepare the house to put it back on the market, keep your fingers crossed for us that it sells this time.

Today has been a sewing day, reworking vintage linens and filling some pretty fabric hearts with our home grown lavender, harvested last year.

I have this month also signed up for a three year study course with OBOD. The order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. So far so good. I think it will be transformational.

The Harp of Erin by Thomas Buchanan Read.

Maybe not quite as transformational as this but a girl can live in hope.