The Cosiest of Things.

I am needing the cosiest of things at the moment. Things that make your heart feel as though they are nestled in comfort and light, tissue paper and down.

Beginning a new blanket for Hugo, fresh (and very much on sale) pillowcases and Daphne by my bed have all helped. Chicken soup on the hob, a lit fire and clean windows are on the list too, alongside 'Larkrise to Candleford', roast lamb and a good book. These things have all curled around my heart this morning and changed my world for the day.

Paper and Scissors.

There has been an awful lot of cutting and folding going on in our house at the moment. I received the book pictured above in the mail the other day (but I can't at present find any details to accompany it - I'll include them in another post) and have not been able to stop snipping paper even when far more pressing concerns floating around me.
The lucky stars are a new obsession that have been busily falling from my hands in an origami-stigmatery kind of way. I have no idea what I will end up doing with them but I cannot stop making them.

Archie has been busy this weekend too, making the bird feeder above. He spent a long time working out how to stop the platform from dropping down and eventually harnessed it with some flax... ingenious. I hope you are having sun and warmth either from the big sky outside or by a little and conrollable fire inside. xxooxxooxx.

Renovations.

Our old front door worked very well for a while... until it stopped working (a couple of years ago). Now we have a new one, it even opens.
And a dark, blank wall has given us a view.

Hugo's family portrait - some of us are naked (Jonno and Archie) - some of us are not (Kate and Hugo).

I am loving our renovations getting into full swing. It is hard to do anything at the moment as every time I turn around there is a new door or window or wall. The electrician is here, I had better go and pretend to put a knife in a powerpoint near him... or maybe not.

Painting and Drawing.

Busy boy.

A very unfinished 'Rolling Boulders'.
And Hugo's 'The Whole Family'.

A little crochet brooch made last night while watching 'Larkrise to Candleford'.

Today I had some time to myself so I started getting tucked into a new painting that is going to be auctioned off at the school ball. I had completely forgotten how long it takes to paint something. A whole day and I am still only part way through.

Now it would be my pleasure to write and write about something interesting however, the cat has vomited next to my bag and I must clean it up before paper planes fly into it. Archie very bravely made a start voluntarily (!!!) but started gagging half way through. I am so proud he took it onto himself to deal with it though. Gloves on.

The Last Roses.

I made myself begin pruning the roses today. The rose above 'General Galliani' is always so hard to cut into as it produces year round flowers that get smaller and creamier as time goes on. I had to remind myself how big, fat and raspberry red they will be in the spring and forced my secateurs into action.

And here are a few sneaky peeks of a table I am renovating. The oilcloth was tacked on with little thumb tacks that were extremely fiddly. I then solved the problem by sticking a piece of blue tack on to the hammer, wedging the thumb tack in and giving an almighty whack. One hit and it went all the way in. Have a cosy Sunday night, xxooxxooxx.

A Morning.

We have had a very quiet and dare I say, peaceful morning. Hugo watched the cows walk past and struck up as many conversations as he could, all the while playing with his farm set in the mud. Archie took on the challenge of learning to sew, making Hugo a stocking which he then embroidered. I sat down next to my big boy and continued with my new sport of tucking tails.

So, so, so nice... particularly as we were off to a very exhausted and slightly cranky beginning to the holidays. Yesterday I didn't even realise this would be possible. But it is!!!

Pippi Longstocking... By Rose.

My niece has been reading my copy of the Lauren Child illustrated, 'Pippi Longstocking' and she drew me this beautiful picture. It is now officially one of my all time favourite things in this world. I want to keep it forever. Even when she is famous.

At the moment it is resting on the desk but I think it will have to go up on my bedroom wall.

Right now I am tucking in millions of tails,

And thinking about the sorts of bodies I need to give to little heads like this.

AND making ginger crunch.

And trying not to eat too much.