“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Friday 15 June 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY ~ Friday 15th June 2012 

Outside my window...the sun is just heading off for the day...its work is done here but hopefully it'll be back tomorrow to warm and bring smiles to our faces. 
The woodburner (or potbellied fire) is sitting in the middle of the outside entertaining area. It was lit last weekend but hasn't had any care or attention since. Maybe we'll be able to toast ourselves again this weekend? The loungers appear in their nakey with having their cushions taken and stored in the house. They're handy if we need them, but the temperature has to be a little warmer for me to indulge.
The plants all seem to be coping with the cooler temperature but are huddled together for warmth in pot clusters!
We're nearly at the mid point of winter, so we're doing quite well really, as it hasn't been too bad so far...long may it continue ;D


I am thinking...it's been an incredible week. I've been completely blown away by the reaction I received from my 'giveaway'. Everyone was so supportive and played along brilliantly. I think I may have been as thrilled as the actual winner in the end....well okay maybe not because she was extremely happy. If you would like to see the actual prize draw then just click on the link Mufftypup....What fun to have Mufftypup do the actual draw. There was so much positive energy from everyone, I couldn't help but feel very grateful and extremely privileged to have so many wonderful visitors to my blog.

I am thankful...that my 'chesticleitus' appears to be fed up with me and is finally on its way somewhere else. It took about four weeks in total...so hopefully it's not making its way to you.


In the kitchen...hmm....if I think hard enough there are some biscuits in a container on the kitchen unit, but nothing else. I'm not cooking tonight...whoohoo! Fish and chips are on the menu....it's a British constitution for Friday nights. Yes, I know we're not in the UK but we can pretend ~ at least for tonight! It free's up so much time to be able to spend doing other things...like phonecalls, blogging, answering emails or drawing! It's funny because that extra time never gets used on household chores. I'm not daft! ;D


I am wearing...Ugg slipper's for cosy toes, black leggings, three layers from long-sleeved grey t-shirt to a grey and black strippy jumper. Oh and a pashmina is still wrapped around my neck from being out earlier. I haven't put the heating on just yet, but it won't be long before I do (you can now laugh if you're into your summer ~ this will make up for all the times I've mentioned the beautiful Aussie summer whilst you were in your winter months. Backatch baby ;$)

I am creating...my notelets, cards and other possibilities. If you would like to see my designs then click here
There are two sets of 6 cards available in my new Etsy shop (there are six in each packet)
I find it so handy having cards or notelets available in the house. I very often suddenly realise I need one and hate to have to dash off to the shops to try and find something suitable. ;D

I am going...no-where tonight...I'm going to enjoy my fish and chips whilst watching Masterchef and yes I do see the irony in that! I adore this series as I have done for the last three. All you need to do is to ensure you are able to eat whilst watching....the programme should come with a public warning as drooling may occur. 


I am wondering...where this blogging journey might lead....so far it's been unbelievable, with 99 countries peaking into my space, over 3,000 hits a month (mind blowing) and I've meet some wonderful new friends.
 
I'm reading...The Seamstress by María Dueñas. I've only just started to read this book and thankfully I've got until August for my book club meeting because it is quite a thick book. My reading seems to be taking a back seat just now, but it looks a good read so maybe I'll be able to squeeze in a little time somewhere?

Maria Duenas' million copy best-selling tale of adventure, tragedy, love and war, "The Seamstress". Spain, on the brink of civil war, 1936. In love for the first time, Sira Quiroga leaves Madrid, along with everything she knows and cares about, to run away to Tangiers, Morocco with her lover Ramiro. She entrusts him with all her inheritance only to be left by him - pregnant, penniless and in trouble with the authorities. At her lowest ebb Sira falls back on the one skill she possesses: sewing. Moving to Tetouan, Sira survives by sewing beautiful clothes for the English mistress of one of the most powerful men in Morocco and for her German friends. As the women unguardedly gossip about their husbands and lovers, Sira is placed in a position very valuable to the British secret service, and she is soon forced to move to Madrid where great danger lies. A grand and epic story that tells the story of Spain's civil war, Madrid in the Second World War and reveals a world of war, glamour, espionage and passion. "A wonderful novel with intrigue, love, mystery and tender, audacious and clean-cut characters". (Mario Vargas Llosa). "A magnificent novel that flawlessly brings together history and intrigue". (Juan Gomez-Jurado, author of "The Moses Expedition"). Maria Duenas holds a PhD in English Philology and is currently a professor at the University of Murcia. She has also taught at American universities, is the author of several academic articles, and has participated in various educational, cultural and editorial projects. She is currently writing her second novel.
I am hoping...that my new Etsy shop is a success. It's been a steep learning curve but also its been good for my mental agility but maybe not my sanity!

I am looking forward to...hopefully a holiday anywhere!


Around the house...a dining room table fully laiden but not with food as you might expect but papers, diary, cards, pens, pads, headsets, tablemats, teacups....etcetera. Muffy's toys are dotted around because she's taken to interrupting me from my laptop every afternoon lately, to join her in fun and frolics. A rather sad vase of flowers that really did need my attention today, but alas didn't get it. I'll hopefully do a new arrangement sometime over the weekend.
I have some really brilliant news because one of my orchids appears to have two ~ not one but two new flower shoots! Whoohoo...this has never happened to me before. They always decide never to flower again after the initial bloom, but not anymore. Obviously the more you neglect them the better. I do hope my sister reads this post because she has no trouble with them flowering over and over again. There now see I can do it too! ;D
  
A favourite quote for today...  There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~ Nelson Mandela

One of my favourite things...is to light the candles (a must for weekend nights) chill the wine, and get ready to enjoy the weekend ahead...whatever it brings.
 
A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order : D
 
A peek into my day... Well it's a peek into yesterday really...I went with a friend to a place called
Monsalvat was founded by Justus Jörgensen. It is Australia’s oldest artists’ colony and home to practising artists. It remains to this day a working not-for-profit arts centre administered by a board. Set in 12 acres of established gardens, the historic buildings include charming mud brick cottages and the impressive Great Hall.
 
I plan to write a post and show more of the place in the coming week. I took forty photos without even trying, so be warned...you should put the kettle on before reading!
Did you notice the dog ~ I just loved the way he's taking a peek into the restaurant ^..^ please let me in...I'll behave honest!

 So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries
Have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend fun : D

10 comments:

  1. I love Monsalvat! Everywhere you look there are wonderful architectural details.It's wonderfully eccentric, and informal. I could easily live amongst such a charming place.
    Have a good weekend.
    It's surgery for me on Tuesday.Wonderful motivation to clean, clear out, tidy up!feels fab.!!

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    Replies
    1. I was so surprised as it wasn't anything like I expected. It was a perfect day spent with a lovely friend, art everywhere, beautiful surroundings and such a delight I now wish I'd visited earlier. I think I'll definitely be going back because 40 photos just wasn't enough.
      Good Luck for Tuesday...you don't seem bothered by pre-surgery nerves. In fact, I'd say you sound positively ready to enjoy the whole experience! I hope it goes well and you're up and running asap. Take care...
      Have a wonderful weekend too :D

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  2. I think its wonderful you having winter and us in the throes of summer, Mother Nature, she is a wonder.
    I really look forward to the photos you took, sounds exciting!.

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    1. It is amazing isn't it...plus thanks to blogging we get to experience all the differences at the same time!
      Laurie you would have loved visiting Monsalvat. So I'll take you hopefully one day next week....pack your bag ;D
      In the meantime have a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend. :D

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  3. Wow Neesie, I always enjoy reading your WOYWW posts but this is something else, I feel I know you now and that I can just pop in for a cup of tea! Too bad you are half way round the world.......hope you have a wonderful weekend. Not that it helps but we have had rain for weeks, today it was sunny for an hour and now rain again. I am sure your winters are better than our summers. Oh yes, hooray for fish and chips too! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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    1. Hello Anne,
      You can always pop in for a cuppa...the kettle's never cold in this house!
      I used to post the Daybook every Wednesday until I joined WOYWW. Unfortunately I haven't managed to attach it to another day yet, I just write it when I can. They always follow the same format using the same prompts. They really stretch me at times because I always try to find different answers. It makes you stop in the 'now' which doesn't happen much in my world!
      I think you could be right about your summer and winter here. It hasn't been too bad at all so far, but some of the reports I'm hearing from the UK is generally 'yuk'!
      By the way...the fish and chips were scrumptious ;D
      Enjoy your weekend not matter what the weather throws at you xox

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  4. Neesie, why don't you add to your blog the Flag-Counter widget which I have on my blog? You collect a new flag whenever someone logs into your blog from a different country. I have 161 flags now - woohoo!

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    1. Now Mark are you bragging because that's not an attractive quality?
      But I suppose 161 is quite a number...I didn't even know there were 161 countries!!!
      I'm please to tell you I know have 102 and not 99 as stated in my Daybook! But I'm not bragging! :$
      Maybe on my next visit to your place I'll take a peek...thanks for your help ~ I really appreciate it with all these widgets and whatnots!
      Have a wonderful weekend ~ have fun and hopefully the sun will shine. :D

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  5. Glad you are beginning to feel better. Hope you enjoyed your night off from cooking! Have a great week :)

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    1. Me too. ;D
      Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love to have visitors.
      I like to cook but love not cooking even better! Especially at the weekend.
      Hope you have a wonderful week ~ enjoy! :D

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