My Hope For 2025

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone joined in?

Vicar of Dibley Royal Mail Stamps

My very good friend Linda who passed away a few years ago now, was a HUGE fan of The Vicar of Dibley. She would have rushed to buy this new set of Royal Mail stamps, celebrating the iconic comedy series. These ones are available now on Ebay despite not officially being released until the 14th January. I'm not a collector of stamps myself but I kinda feel I need to buy them on her behalf, is that silly?

Everyone Is After My Money

It's the same all year really but the constant bombardment, post Christmas, for us to buy buy buy, is grating with me. The temptation to'grab a bargain' is very real, but actually resisting spending can be much more satisfying. The Mr and I did go out a few days ago to take a look around our local shops, more to stretch our legs than to look for something to buy. We did buy a few things, which I'm very pleased to say were all second hand from our various local charity shops and of course therefore very cheap. I also donated a few items at the same time. Win win. I did buy an old box which caught my eye because of the hand decoration on the outside. It appealed to me. I'm wondering how old it might be and whether it might perhaps have been a tea caddy in another life? I wonder if any of you, my blogging chums might know. Also the small brass insert shows a crest, any ideas?

Bright Blessings for 2025

It's been a funny ole year what with one thing and another. The Mr and I are still desperately wanting to get moved to Norfolk and that is our primary wish for early 2025. The end of 2024 has seen a lot of ill health in our extended family, with even the mr and I falling by the wayside in the last two weeks of December. Friends, we cancelled Christmas. But I am looking forward rather than back now. 2025 will be a healthy joyful one for us and I hope for all of you lovely blogging chums. Thank you for being there, I hope to do and share more with you all in 2025, sharing joy where I can. A toast to you all.

Emma Bridgewater - One of My Heroines

I'm sure most folk who live in the UK have heard of Emma Bridgewater, who, when only a young woman had the desire and the vision to save an enormous ancient pottery in Staffordshire. She says that literally everyone told her not to do it. In previous centuries the area was known for it's many potteries and of course the filthy air they created. Today there are only a few working potteries left. The Mr and I visited the Bridgewater pottery a few days ago, we had breakfast, a tour of the factory, we even painted some plates, which will be sent to us once they have been fired. The whole experience was top notch and I would recommend a visit if any of you get the chance. After witnessing the labour intensive process involved in making her pots I fully understand the pricing and their worth. Incidentally all the folk working there were very happy with their tasks. Take a look at our plates above, can you guess which one I decorated and which one the Mr did? Before we went he wasn't sure it was his cup of tea but he absolutely loved doing it. When we recieve them back I'll post another picture so you can see the difference in the glazes after several firings.

JUST WOW

Watch it all if you have time, you'll be smilimg ear to ear, with just a little tear.

Lucky Girl

"The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, some one even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours." Alan Benett, The History Boys. Today I was gifted two very special items for my yet to be reading room and I couldn't be more thrilled. Here is one of them. I'm a lucky girl.

And here is a very special boooooook. To grace my shelves.