A spring to-do list.

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Ten things you could do this spring.

    make, and then feast, on hot cross buns.

    fill the house with jam jars filled with daffodils.

    wander along the Blossom Trail.

    spring clean the greenhouse and plant seeds for summer blooms.

    read 'The language of Flowers' by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

    visit and explore somewhere new.

    weave a spring wreath from all the lovely seasonal flowers.

    spend time with people that make you feel happy. 

    watch On Chesil Beach.

    sit in the spring sunshine, drink tea, and just be.

    

 What things do you love to do in spring?

Have a happy day.

Ten lovely things.

1. Weekend goals right here.

2. So many lovely ceramics from Susan Simonini. But these bunnies stole my heart 🖤

3. So many lovely dresses from Popelin. But it's this dress I want in my size!

4. Who's in need of a floral pick me up?

5. And a little more floral loveliness.

6. Etsy find of the week. Concrete Alphabet. One of these in every size please?

7. The loveliest lithographs by Pamela Grace.

8. So believe you're something special.

9. The wonderful whimsical work of Julie Arkell 🖤

& wondering if it's too early to 'practice' baking these for Easter?

Have a happy day.

Ten lovely things.

The snow-day edit

1. '. . . there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.'

    John Ruskin. Beautiful image by Circle of Pines.

2. Running wild and dreaming free. 

    Our Free Tribe, reconnecting children with nature through visual storytelling.

3. A snowy city, beautifully illustrated by the O'Hara sisters.

4. A snowy city, captured by Melanee Kate Thomas for Junior Style.

5. Read about the folklore of snowdrops on Creative Countryside.

6. Knitting and crochet inspiration from tipsy tessie. *pops onto my to-knit list*

7. A compendium of inspiration from Sibella Court. *pops onto my to-read list*

8. Support your sisters. Loving Holly&Co's fabulous new theme for March.

9. The sweetest snow scene from Jam and Ginger.

& lets just stay inside and perfect our pastry skills by baking these comforting Danish Pastries.

Stay cosy and have a happy day.

A seasonal shift.

'Winter teetered on the verge of succumbing to the returning sun,

but today the breeze still preferred the touch of snowflakes'

 from left to right and top to bottom

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Never has an Instagram hashtag been more appropriate than #aseasonalshift is at the moment. Behind the clouds the sky is a bright blue, the clouds dotted here and there with pockets of silver grey, from which the snow is falling, slowly, gently, and appropriately, onto the snowdrops and crocus that have just begun to show. I'm still sitting huddled in layers of knits, hands wrapped around comforting mugs of hot chocolate, yet keeping me company as I work are daffodils, just beginning to open, and I'm wondering how I'll enjoy the first of this year's rhubarb. If the snow continues, the rhubarb might be baked slowly under an indulgent coating of crumble, eaten with an equally indulgent topping of custard, whilst reading the seed catalogues which have just popped through the door.

'I hear the sounds of melting snow outside my window every night

and with the first faint scent of spring, I remember, life exists'

Whilst it may be easy to wish winter away, I'm enjoying this mingling of seasons; in some ways it feels we have the best of both. The lingering cold and light snow make for the perfect winter walk, yet also give the perfect excuse for cosying up at home still. And those first signs of spring encourage the making of plans; for the garden, for the home, for all the months ahead.

'Because it's still winter' shopping

// Flint Gotland Wool Blanket, from the future kept

// Daydreamer Soy Candle, from the future kept

// Jasmine Scarf, from Purl Soho

// Fingerless Gloves, from Laurimuks

'Because it's nearly spring' shopping

// Copper plated gardening tools, from Cox & Cox

// Gardenista, by Michelle Slatalla

// Green cardoc twine, from Petersham Nurseries

// Amber blown vase, from The Forest & Co.

Have a happy day.

Ten lovely things.

1. Kids Down Under #1. Dazed but Amazed. Collaborating with artists to produce beautiful bedding.

2. Kids Down Under #2. Yoli & Otis. And a look at their new collection Secret Garden.

3. Kids Down Under #3. Tutu du Monde. And a look at their new collection A Parisian World.

4. If you're looking for books to pop on your To Read list, head over to Thistle Harvest.

5. Etsy find of the week. Wakako Senda. Such lovely ceramics to drink your coffee from.

6. Thank you to Mabel and Mole for leading me to these darkly beautiful Thank you cards.

7. Artist crush of the week. Gurilla. Such wonderfully abstract portraits.

8. A gentle rebellion. Wise words by s.r.w.

9. Creative crush of the week. Gooseberry Moon. Such delicate botanical illustrations.

&. Cranachan Cookies, from Scottish blogger Rosie, in honour of last nights Burn's Night.

     Though I have a feeling they'd taste just as good on any other day, or night too.

. have a happy day .

{ happy friday }

1. Just three days left. Are you ready?

2. Folksy find of the week. Handmade Over Yonder. I wonder if Angel Mouse is destined for someone's stocking?

3. The sweetest skater scene which, almost, makes me yearn to go skating.

4. I have to agree that this is the most beautiful dress of the season *sigh*

5. Christmas gift wrapping goals right here.
6. Christmas reading goals right here.
7. Christmas knitting goals right here.
8. Winter is the time for comfort. The wisest of words from Edith Sitwell.
9. Spicy ginger treacle cookies are always a good idea. ( see above No.8. )
& so is Cinnamon Apple Baked French Toast.

{ have a happy day }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Loving this fabulous floral headdress. And yes, it comes in my size. Yay!

{ 2 } "Into the Secret Garden" with Bek Halliday's beautiful blooms.

{ 3 } Blankets, bunny knits, and bed socks #weekendgoals.

{ 4 } The most beautiful book I've seen all year. Hortense and the Shadow ♥︎

{ 5 } Etsy find of the week #1. CastawayKnittingScot. #knittinggoals.

{ 6 } My new homewares crush spotted on Khoollect. Aerende ♥︎

{ 7 } Etsy find of the week #2. LittlePaperMama. #havecourage.

{ 8 } Wonderful wise words.

{ 9 } Wonderful woodland watercolour.

{ + } Parkin, spiced apple, a nip of whisky. Perfect Bonfire Night baking.

{ have a happy day }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Coveting Holly Becker's new pouffes from the wonderful bohemia design.

{ 2 } A gardener in the making, wearing City Goats gorgeous apron.

{ 3 } Loving UPA's new campaign for summer'18, Unleashed Princess Army.

{ 4 } Goodbye Vogue Bambini. Lovely 'Sunday Morning' editorial by Julia Bostock.

{ 5 } Etsy find of the week. AtelierMoune. And a sneak peek at work in progress.

{ 6 } New exhibition to see. Matisse in the Studio opens tomorrow at the RA.

{ 7 } New book to read. See What I Have Done released last Tuesday.

{ 8 } According to this rather fabulous quote the weekend started this morning. Yay!

{ 9 } This weeks #shelfie love.

{ + } This weekend I will mostly be baking birthday cake for my darling dad.

{ have a happy day }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Don't judge a book by it's cover. Instead enjoy a blind date with a book instead. 

{ 2 } Etsy find of the week. Le Petite Alice. Embroidered linen handmade with a lot of love.

{ 3 } When you don't let a little rain stop you from wearing your favourite summer dress.

{ 4 } The next generation of crazy plant ladies 🌿  dressed by Lacey Lane.

{ 5 } When you spot a really cute coffee shop on Insta. Then discover it's in Nova Scotia!

{ 6 } A love letter to the sea side ⚓️  drawn by Jonny Hannah.

{ 7 } Dare I say the perfect bag to take to the sea side?

{ 8 } You are great. Yes, you are!

{ 9 } Lucky enough to be off to NYC? Here are the 10 best spots for that Insta worthy pic.

{ + } A lemon tart to bake and serve with the last of the Summer's berries.

{ have a happy day }

{ inspired#16 . jane austen . reading & love }

. inspired#16 .

It isn't what we say or think that defines us

It's what we do

clockwise from centre

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death.  Whether you have read her novels or not, you can't help but be familiar with her work; Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice { Her heart did whisper that he had done it for her }, the Dashwood sisters of Sense and Sensibility { I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way }, Fanny Price of Mansfield Park { A fondness for reading, properly directed, must be an education in itself }, the matchmaking meddling Emma { If I love you less, I might be able to talk about it more }, Northanger Abbey, and her last novel, Persuasion { None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives }.

There was so much love for her on Instagram yesterday, the day that marked 200 years since Jane's last, and I'm going to borrow the caption from this picture, which sums up Jane in a way in which I think the author herself would approve.

photo credit // janice mier

' Ardently remembering a badass woman who has taught me so much. There were too many lessons but if there's one thing I'd like to share with your ladies, it is that we should love using our heart and our head. Do proper assessment of character. Know the difference between a man who has a plan and a boy who just wants to waste your time.

Thank you Jane for your books. For who you are. For everything you've done. I'm grateful you existed. '

You'll find lots more Austen inspiration on my pinterest board { inspired#16 } and to read more about the anniversary take a look over on Jane Austen 200.

{ have a happy day }

{ four I adore . Illustrators }

One of the exhibitions I'm hoping to see during the Summer is the shortly opening at Somerset House, featuring highlights from the World Illustration Awards. The shortlist featured many illustrators of children's books, something of particular interest to me. There were 26 talented artist in the category, which left me spoilt for choice for today's post, but as it's 'four I adore' I have picked my very favourites to share with you.

The first is Duncan Beedie, a Bristol based artist, who has illustrated books, including two of which he is author, The Bear who Stared, and the wonderfully titled The Lumberjack's Beard. There are so many things to love about Duncan's work, but in particular I love his use of colour, and the quality of light he manages to bring into his work.

Carly Gledhill's work was already familiar to me, through the quirky characters she creates for Corby Tindersticks. Equally at home designing for children's wear, as she is illustrating children's books, she is currently working on her first author / illustrator book, due for release next year. Oh, and if all that didn't keep her busy enough she's the co-founder of Dot to Dot. It's hard to say what I don't love about Carly's work, but her lovely quality of line, and fantastic imagination have me feeling a little envious.

Italian illustrator Silvia Bonanni, works creatively in collage to produce the lovelies, and intricately detailed artworks for the many books she's helped bring to life. Her illustrations for The Magic Flute are crafted from fabric, paper and small objects, and have such a charm about them, creating a miniature theatre on the page.

My final artist is Lesley Barnes. An illustrator and animator whose work spans children's books, film, fashion and music, and whose style is recognisable for it's distinctive bright use of colour. There is a mid century quality to Lesley's work, and a wonderful sense of pattern and texture within her illustrations that you could imagine brought to life on fabric and textiles.

Sadly, and as a reflection of how high the standard was, none of my featured artists won their category, but I'm keeping my finger's crossed that some of their work will be on display at the exhibition at Somerset House.

{ have a happy day }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } The best thing about Summer?  Sunny days and Summer dresses.

{ 2 } Overload of cuteness?  I have to agree Billieblush.

{ 3 } I may have to give Emile et Ida a regular Happy Friday spot!

{ 4 } Spotted on Paul et Paula. Sweet Hannah B. ♥︎

{ 5 } Etsy find of the week. Lotta's House. Which I just Love.

{ 6 } Spotted at Loop Knitting. Bumble Bees. ♥︎

{ 7 } How much do I love people who still send old fashioned mail?

{ 8 } There was nowhere to go by everywhere. Jack Kerouc.

{ 9 } A lovely list on Frankie of books to read when you have itchy feet ( see above! )

{ + } The sun is shining and I think it's time to make cookie dough ice cream sandwiches.

{ have a happy day }

{ my june }

June has been a somewhat puzzling month. We've had the most glorious of sunshine, yet also had some grey, drizzly, wet and windy days. It felt as if Summer had arrived, then left as quickly as she came. It has not been the super productive month I'd hoped it would be. Perhaps next month, instead of hoping for a super productive month, it might be better to plan and prepare for a super productive month. Then again, I do like to feel I'm doing my best to support the #slowliving mantra so popular at the moment.

{ blooming }

The mix of sunshine and showers has proved a winning combination for the garden, and I've tried my best to fill this month with as many flowers as possible. The peonie season is short but oh, so sweet and the blooms lingered for many many days, brightening many corners of my home, as I couldn't resist moving them to places I could enjoy them most throughout the day. My garden is more of a haven for wildflowers than anything else, but I've enjoyed pottering around my mum and dad's garden, tending to their geraniums, and whispering words of encouragement to the stocks seedlings, so tentatively planted by my dad, who believes he never succeeds with anything grown from seed. Happy to report the stocks are thriving and proving him wrong.

{ reading }

The second meeting of The Little Book Club discussed The Little Paris Bookshop. Unfortunately the overwhelming feeling was a book which promised much, yet disappointed. I enjoyed it in parts, loving the descriptions of Paris and the journey the book takes down to Provence, yet the story seemed one of too many different story lines, ones that never quite came together. Earlier in the month I'd read The Bookshop, by Penelope Fitzgerald.  A much gentler, slower read, set on the East Anglian coast, telling the  story of Florence Green, who, despite opposition from most of the town, decides to open a bookshop. It has one of the saddest last lines I've ever read, but was a wonderful short read. I'm currently intrigued by the going's on in Peyton Place. Set in New Hampshire, it tells of small town life, of the secrets and hypocrisy that takes place.

{ painting }

The knitting has been put to one side for now, as a little design work has trickled in over the last few weeks. It's so lovely when a client wants a print or design that is hand worked, and it's been the perfect excuse to dig out the watercolour paints and paintbrushes, and sit quietly painting, instead of the usual pen, tablet and laptop.

{ picking }

As well as the flowers blooming, June has been a month for the Summer fruit and vegetables to ripen ready for picking.  Broad beans freshly podded, were enjoyed in a Summer salad, and tayberries, or loganberries, we can't quite decide which, have been enjoyed with a simple dollop of yogurt on top. After finding a local PYO farm, strawberries were picked and quickly made into jam, and the beginnings of a strawberry wine, with a few making their way into a cake, drizzled with champagne, to form a rather delicious, edible, Strawberry Bellini.

I'm not sure if I should make any promises for July.  At the moment it looks a rather quiet month, though it has the loveliest of starts with the Derbyshire Summer Market, hosted as always by Fabulous Places. After that, we shall have to wait and see what the month brings.

{ have a happy day }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Etsy find of the week.  Snowdon Prints.  Loving her latest botanical print. 

{ 2 } Gorgeous on-trend volume sleeve blouse that begs the question 'Does it come in my size?'

{ 3 } Perfect for Summer layering, in the prettiest shade of Rhubarb Juice ♥︎

{ 4 } A little in love with everything Désuet, an on-line vintage store you'll lose yourself for hours in.

{ 5 } A lovely review of Anita Brookner's Hotel du Lac on Toast *pops on To-Read list*

{ 6 } And a lovely chair for curling up and reading away the day, from Rockett St George.

{ 7 } A look behind the scenes of taking that perfect IG shot, with The Bookish Baker.

{ 8 } Kindness is the noblest of weapons to conquer with ♥︎

{ 9 } A lovely review of The Pig Hotel from Wuthering Bites *pops on To-Visit list*

{ + } Celebrate strawberry season with The Kitchen McCabe's Lilac Scented Strawberry Shortcake.

{ have a happy day }

{ my may }

Reading back over my goodbye April post, it feels my thoughts on June might have been somewhat prophetic.  My diary stayed quite quiet, and the month did indeed lead to much knitting, reading, and gardening.  This month I proved myself very much a homebody, in fact if you took a look at my IG feed, I look as if I've barely left the house.  

{ knitting }

So my promise to share a little more of my knitting on the blog this month didn't quite happen, though I did share a little look at the mood board I've been putting together, and some of the very very lovely yarn I've been ordering.  Some sneaky doubts have crept into my mind this month, and although plenty of knitting has got done, it doesn't feel it's got me to the point I'd hoped to be at.  And with the distraction of a little paid work I've found myself procrastinating over the To-Do list I'd set myself this month.  But writing this, and looking back on that mood board, has given me the impetus to re-focus a little, remember the simplicity of those images I pinned, and remember the excitement I felt when I decided to start knitting again.

Oh, and I promise to share a little more in a post or two next month, starting with the finished blanket you can see partly knitted above.

{ baking }

The beginning of the month did see me venture away from home, for a little clandestine cake eating. A small group of bakers gathered to say a belated Happy Birthday to the Queen, with a Best of British theme.  A wonderfully classic Victoria Sandwich was joined by an equally classic Parkin, and I made the Queen's favourite chocolate biscuit cake, adorned with a very chocolately Union Jack. Another lovely Clandestine Cake Club event full of coffee, cake and chit chat.

I had been dreaming of another British classic, Madeira Cake, when as luck would have it { thank you Cake Gods } a recipe from Donna Hay popped up, and it just seemed rude not to.  This is a super easy cake to make, but I do have mixed feelings about it.  On the one hand it is just so lovely, light, tasty, and my addition of a yogurt drizzle added a wonderful fresh tanginess to it.  But, I'm not sure I'd call it a Madeira Cake as I know a Madeira Cake.  Which, now I think about it, gives me the perfect excuse to make a classic Madeira Cake.

And speaking of perfect excuses, Real Bread Week gave me a whole week of reasons to bake bread, but the highlight was definitely this Fig & Walnut Loaf, which was devoured enjoyed for breakfast topped with ricotta, pear, pecans and honey.

{ reading }

I think I could sum up May as a month of quietly sitting reading, or as the pictures above show, quietly sitting reading and eating. Three Agatha Christie's have been enjoyed this month, The Secret of Chimney's, the incredibly clever Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and the slightly silly, though not intentionally so, The Big Four. The interesting thing about reading these in the order that she wrote them, is you can see that The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, lauded as her best work, was then followed up by a 'less than best' Big Four, which though enjoyable, is best described by this review on Goodreads;

" Once upon a time, Agatha Christie stayed up way too late, drank her way through three bottles of Chardonnay and watched a Sean Connery James Bond film.  As she was going to bed, some time about 3am, her eyes rested for a moment on her typewriter.  I would not be in the least surprised if that was all she remember about this book.  For shame, Agatha.  This is exactly the same reason I'm not allowed whisky and Twitter on the same evening any more. " Fiona 

In addition Ms Christie, I read Raffaella Barker's From a Distance, a story which moves between Post-War Cornwall, and present day Norfolk, revealing family secrets which knit together the two strands.  Rather like The Muse, the second novel from Jessie Burton, which tells the story of a painting through the eyes of Odelle, an immigrant living in London in 1967, and through Olive Schloss, living in Italy in 1936.  This was also the first book read by The Little Book Club, a newly formed book club in Harborne, and another of my few ventures out of the house this month.  I've been wanting to join a book club for a long time, but have felt intimidated by the larger, more established groups in Birmingham.  To be able to join one from the start, with such a lovely group of people was a Saturday morning well spent, and I'm already looking forward to reading our next book, The Little Paris Bookshop, before meeting to mull over our thoughts and feelings once more.

{ foraging }

May has been a month of flowers, admiring the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, all be it from afar, and watching my IG feed fill up with the most fabulous flora and fauna. A little foraging of my own has allowed me to fill up my window sills with May posies, dotted all around the house. Outside the pots have been tidied and planted and are coming into bloom. Elsewhere in the garden wild flowers are proving a haven for the bees, or so I tell myself, and that will continue to be my excuse reasoning, until I can find the time to tidy up a little more.

And so tomorrow will be June, bringing with it the first of the Summer Markets, a second Book Club, and at the end of the month, just after we say hello to Summer, another cake club, in a city centre Secret Garden, of which I'm a little excited about.

{ have a happy last day of May }

{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Dolls with their own dolls are just the most darling.

{ 2 } Rabbits & Racoons.

{ 3 } 'Dancing is like dreaming for your feet'.

{ 4 } Poplin. And a collection inspired by Degas and dance.

{ 5 } Oh. But to be little again ♥︎

{ 6 } Etsy find of the week. ebenotti. Pretty pots for pretty plants.

{ 7 } So I may be a little too old for the pram. But these look just my size.

{ 8 } Sunshine on my mind.  So that's where it's disappeared to?

{ 9 } The first meeting of The Little Book Club happens tomorrow #brunchandbooks

{ + } A rainy day calls for cookies.  And chocolate.  Or just chocolate cookies.

{ have a happy day }

{ my april }

Another month so very nearly over.  This one has fled by in a flurry of Spring blossoms, bunnies & Bank Holidays.  I still have a few things left on my month's to do list, but there is a satisfying number already ticked off.

{ knitting }

The month of March had been all about the planning.  And April was all about the knitting.  It has been both exciting, and scary, ordering lots of yarn and knitting needles, and my first foray into jumbo knitting has been a fun one.  In a way it's taken me back to those childhood days of learning to knit, when the yarn & needles felt a little clumsy and unfamiliar.  And then you settle into that routine;  needle through the stitch, yarn around the needle, make new stitch.  The pile of swatches of different stitches, and different yarns, has grown, and things are slowly starting to take shape.  It still feels too early to reveal much more, though I think this may be the last month I allow myself to say that, but I think there may be a couple of posts coming next month to give you a bit more of a peek into the plan. 

{ reading }

My reading list this month has been a tad impressive, mainly due to being laid low by a virus at the beginning of the month, and reading being the only thing I had the energy, or the inclination for.  Somewhat ironically, I began the month reading Julian Barnes The Sense of an Ending a book that has been on my bookshelf for a while, but never read.  A book about memory and history, about re-examining events of the past from a different perspective; "I need to return briefly to a few incidents that have grown into anecdotes, to some approximate memories which time  has deformed into certainty."  

Something a little less serious next, and my next Agatha Christie, The Man in the Brown Suit a book of murder, mystery, intrigue, in the usual Ms Christie style.  Eager to find out Who'd Done It, I was quickly onto the book I've just finished, Anna Hope's The Ballroom.  I've just had a quick read through some of the reviews for this book on Goodreads, and by no coincidence do the same words appear;  beautiful, anguished, simple, slow, heartbreaking.  Set in an asylum on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors, the story is told from three person's viewpoints, inmates Ella and John, and one of the doctors, Charles.  To call it a love story would be to simplify the narrative, as it's so much more than that.  This isn't the book to pick up if you are looking for something to lift your spirits, you are more in danger of being left feeling slightly bereft, but a wonderful read none the less.

{ making }

Easter provided a lovely excuse to make a few little treat boxes to send out to friends.  Unlike previous years, I didn't do a lot of Easter baking this year, but did try my hand at making mini Easter eggs.  A little trickier than I thought they'd be, I have a new found respect for all the chocolatiers of the country.  Slightly easier to put together were these little gift boxes, each complete with their own Easter bunny, guarding those chocolate eggs.

{ watching }

Spring may have officially arrived in March, but I always feel it's April that it really begins to arrive.  Despite the British weather's best efforts to thwart the spring blooms, it seems there's been enough sunshine to bring out all the beautiful blossom, and to start making good in the garden.  Two trips already to the local nursery, with a few more to come I'm sure, though with the temperature having plummeted once again, this box of blooms is safely tucked inside the greenhouse for now.

At the moment the calendar looks very quiet for May, leaving plenty of time for more knitting, more reading, and more gardening I think #slowliving.

{ have a happy day }