Bonjour Tout Le Monde

I have noticed of late that I'm getting a large number of French visitors to my blog. I don't have any French followers and nobody ever leaves a comment but I know you are there, so welcome and thanks for dropping by.

Today a couple of Christmassy pics to get us in the mood for the run up to the big day.

This little 1960s beauty was rescued from our local tip. I don't go there very often as the mister usually gets delegated any tip top jobs as it were, so it's lucky I did chance upon her. Soaked in rainwater in a flimsy sodden cardboard box. Nearly incarcerated in landfill. She now proudly adorns our tree. She has no underwear so I have to angle her netting to cover her modesty. I think she is super cute.

And this delightful vignette comes courtesy of my friend and fellow blogger, Fi.  Isn't it just the sweetest arrangement?

Thrifty Christmas

The tree went up today. I really enjoy putting the decorations on it, as most of them have special memories. I'm not the kinda gal that buys new decs every year to introduce a theme and ring the changes. I want the comfort of familiarity and tradition. The first ones that go on are the ones my boy made at nursery and primary school.

Then a couple my Mum gave me years ago. She died over 20 years ago now so her decorations are like a Christmas message from her every year.

I don't go over the top at Christmas with decs or anything else for that matter. We have a few extra treats and because we don't buy mountains of food and drink we don't stuff ourselves or waste anything. More is definitely less at this time of year.

I have been doing a bit of sprucing up on the house front but still haven't spent loads. Finally got round to painting the two front doors of the house. I bought the paint ages ago whilst Homebase had a special offer on. Here is a before, during and after.

It took over 5 hours to rub the doors down properly, but elbow grease is free and I'm really pleased with the finished result. The little cream 'trowel' door knocker on the small side door was purchased over 5 years ago, it's finally been put to good use.

We were also very lucky this weekend to bag a lovely pure wool rug from Freecycle. Initially I was beaten to it but the person couldn't be bothered to collect it, her loss I say. I left a very polite request with the owner and he got back in touch. It has a small bit of damage and smelt a bit musty, but the mister has given it a good shampoo and it looks brilliant. Now it has the whiff of Highclere about it. And it's very cosy underfoot.

Masquerade Ball at Chatsworth

This is a picture of me and the mister grinning from ear to ear like a pair of silly lemons because we had just entered the magical world of Narnia, not the actual one you understand, but the 'pretend' one that Chatsworth is hosting this year.

Now the thing is we went up to Derbyshire to visit Chatsworth in September, so strictly speaking we weren't due another trip up until next year. But the clever events peeps at Chatsworth organised an Enchanted Masquerade Ball. Well obviously we had to go. Well obvious to me anyway. The mister took a little convincing as it takes about 4 hours to get there. But it was so worth it.

It was truly a magical experience and I don't bandy the magical word about lightly.

The ball was for one night only but the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe experience is on until December 23rd. Do go if you can - it's gorgeous.

Vintage Event Middle Farm

It was terribly cold at the weekend event but everyone involved worked very hard to make it a great success. Some absolutely gorgeous things but I was very restrained; I am after all decreasing my vintage stock not adding to it. Honestly.

One purchase from Faded Rose Vintage. If you look closely at my expertly captured atmospheric image you will see 'him' on the top shelf left. A push-along Wire Fox terrier. 

To fund my purchase I sold some old favourites, who have gone to really good homes. Well, the squeals from the ladies who bought them make me think they have anyway.

Actually, the Polish rag doll is still with me at the moment, but she is currently looking for a new home before Christmas. Ebay are helping her with that.

I was a bit sad to see Mrs Bunny go, I mean look at that nose. But I must be brave and only keep the things I totally love and can't live without. No nonsense.

Perfect Antidote to Celebrity/Reality TV.

Now don't get me wrong, of course I love modern technology, otherwise I couldn't be a blogger. But the things I love to share through my blog aren't very often related to technology. Unless I'm highlighting a bargain or a wonderful opportunity I have discovered through an e-flyer or newsletter.

In truth I would dearly love the world to slow down a bit. And I do worry about the way the 'youf' cannot seem to function without being attached to an electronic device.

It all has to be extreme non-stop stimulation. But what are they actually getting from it? Except the need for yet more stimulation.
It's a very passive form of entertainment which never seems to satisfy.

I feel the same way about all the 'shouty' TV programmes too. Can we all just calm down a bit please. Yes, wake up and smell the coffee but take some time to drink it and enjoy it. Simple pleasures are best.

I was totally chuffed to spot an article in 'The Week' magazine about a 'slow tv' movement, right up my street and a perfect antidote to all the shouty programmes I loathe.

The Norwegian state broadcaster, NRK, cleared it's entire prime-time schedule for a live, nine hour show on knitting. Yes, knitting.

The aim was to beat the world 'sheep to sweater' record. With a team of people shearing a ewe, spinning the wool and knitting a jumper. They didn't quite make it in the time. But hurrah the show was really popular.
Slow TV is a big movement in Norway. Since 2009 they have enjoyed ten hours of footage from the top of a train, twelve hours of a burning log fire and eighteen hours of salmon spawning.

I'd love to see something like that on British TV, but I can't see that happening any time soon. I totally agree with Stuart Heritage (The Guardian) "watching Saturday night TV in Britain is like being trapped in a burning cell with a crying, attention-seeking lunatic who screams and punches himself in the face whenever he thinks you're about to look away".

I would like to champion a 'Let's Get Real' campaign. Read a book, take a walk, cook, craft, mix with real people and talk to them.

Well I Didn't Know That

image via altfg.com

I was astounded to discover recently that Hollywood movie star Hedy Lamarr was a women of great depth and intelligence. Tis true she was a beauty, but surprisingly she was also a visionary inventor.

I chanced upon an article here, it is most remarkable. She was an early pioneer of wireless communications, playing her part in World War 2 against the Nazis. And it has been speculated that without her work we wouldn't be enjoying the benefits of Wi-Fi today.

I'm full of admiration for her and wonder how I had never heard of this before.

There is today a Hedy Lamarr Foundation that aims to deliver educational and inspirational information that promotes self - discovery and social accountability. I'm not sure if this is something she put in place or whether it has been set up in her memory. Either way I feel she would have approved. What a woman.

Barbie Snippets

I love this slightly mad jewellery by Margaux Lange. Although some might see her work as freaky or gruesome, I think it's imaginative and fun. Perhaps I'm just a little bit more eccentric than most. Not a bad thing in my book.