Painting Dreams

A wonderful painting from Wendy today, find her on her Painting Dreams website. I'm looking forward to my Christmas present from the Mr this year ordered from Wendy, another piece added to my collection of wall hangings.

Embracing Autumn

The changes in seasons can be hard, I find the encroaching darkness the hardest aspect and the drizzly days. But I'm trying to focus on the positive. I do love a log burner and candles always look better in the darker months. Hearty comforting food is just that at this time of year. Shepherd's pie, spicy curries, slow cooker stews , rich in flavour and so warming. As you know dear reader we are hoping to move to Norfolk by the sea as soon as we can sell our house so we are both determined to cosy up and enjoy the next few months in this house whilst trying not to yearn for future sunnier climes. I hope you all are keeping well and warm, enjoy Halloween tomorrow and settle into Autumn.

A Few Pics of Portugal

The Mr and I recently spent eight days in Portugal staying in old historical buildings or Pousadas as they are known. Three different buildings, a Royal Guard barracks attached to an old palace, a hospital and a very old monastery. Most of the time spent there was very charming and so I thought I would post just a few pics. Do have a close look at the tiles, eighteenth century I believe and the subject? why, The Chicken's Wedding, natch.

Autumn

The cold weather has arrived and this year we have had to buy some logs in. We have been in our current home for over seven years and up till now have been using the store of logs that was left to us by the previous owner, plus a few of our own trees have provided. Our neighbour has felled our trees and we split the logs with him, a very good neighbourly arrangement.

Today has been bright and dry. I have been waiting for such a day to harvest my organic chamomile, which is now resting in the warm greenhouse whilst nature does it's thing. I'm not a huge fan of chamomile tea but using my own blooms improves the flavour no end.

Lee Miller, At Last Her Story Is Out There

I have been waiting for this film to hit the cinemas for years. I had the very great pleasure and privilege of working with Lee Miller's son Tony and her granddaughter Ami about nine years ago at Farley Farm House in East Sussex. I knew then that Kate Winslett wanted to make this film about Lee. It has taken so long, but boy the wait has been worth it. It's not really the full story of Lee's life, but rather a snapshot of her war time activity. There is so much more to Lee's story, I urge you to find out more and if you can manage to visit Farley Farm you will be amazed, surprised, moved and excited by what you find there. It really is an extraordinary place, truly unique and still under family control and care. If you have the time, watch this trailer to the end before you see the film.