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?

A New Dawn & A New Year Let's Give It Our All

 My besom was busy today, brushing away the bad luck from the house, straight out the backdoor and brushing with intent the good luck in through our front door. A feeling of a job well done. A fresh beginning with a new year to look forward to.

 

2025 was largely like most recent years generally okay, except for our personal family losses which were huge. So a sad year for us. But ..........................

2026 has huge potential for the Mr and I and our family and we are excited about changes to come. 

I would like to thank all of my followers on this here tiny blog. We are a small community I know but a worthwhile one methinks. I hope I manage to transmit as much joy as I recieve in 2026. Good health and joy to all of you.

Charming image by Shawn Braley