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