Thinking Happy Thoughts

So, a new year...the inevitable new year resolutions....lots of ads on TV and in my inbox encouraging me to 'detox'...myriad sales every where and peoples' thoughts turning to Summer holidays. 

Being a bit rebellious, instead of beginning a new year diet, I'm having a Katsu curry today and rather than new year resolutions, I'm making a list of what makes me happy. I'm going to do my best to fit more of these feel good, warm, fuzzy moments into my life. 

My Happy List - in no particular order :) 

First of all , my favourite Christmas present. I opened this..

A Coldplay vinyl = happiness.

'Look inside' urged my sons who had bestowed said gift upon my hubby and me.

Cue a few tears after seeing this drop out...

A promise of 2 tickets to see them at Wembley. Wow! Genuine top notch happiness anticipating this concert.

Moving on...

An early night. When I was a wee little one, I remember very clearly having to go to bed while it was still daylight outside. Boy that was frustrating. Now fast forward ... quite a lot of years and I love an early night - laying in bed in Summer listening to sounds of the outside world going on, or snuggling up in Winter with a hot water bottle, listening to the rain on the window. 

A new book to read. I'm determined to try and read one book a week this year. My reading was dismal last year. I'm currently reading this. 

That first cup of tea in the morning.

The first daffodil appearing.

Twinkle lights

Our new bed -sooo comfy 

Curling up on the sofa with the dogs my husband... ahem

Stripy gloves

Fresh linen on the bed. 

Cow parsley

Giving a handmade gift

Notebooks/ journals. I have so many - I can't resist. I got a beautiful William Morris V&A lined journal for Christmas...with matching pencils. 

Yay! I also love these. I never know quite what to use them for so this year I will start using them, they are not too precious to use Sherry.

Feeding the birds. Especially our little robin who flies into my hand every morning for his breakfast of grated cheese. 

Baking

Liberty print fabrics

Cherry cake

The Boden sale

Le Petit Marseillais products

Scented candles

Having a whole evening stretching out ahead of me when I can embroider, knit, or crochet (any of the former) while watching an Audrey Hepburn film. Strictly speaking - two happinesses there.

A soak in a hot bath

There are so many things that make me happy. I think I'll do a monthly list to keep a smile on my face throughout the year :) 

What makes you smile?

Happy 2016 to you. Think happy thoughts xx

A New Year Beckons

Well, Christmas and 2015 are drawing to a close. 

We enjoyed a wonderful family time - with much Lego building taking place. I have really enjoyed a bit of colouring in (!), started an Audrey Hepburn jigsaw (clever husband) and have a pile of yummy new books waiting to be read. We have played games (an epic Game of Thrones Monopoly battle that went on for about 5 hours), watched cheesy Christmas movies, snoozed and forgotten what day it is. 

Tetbury looked wonderful and as festive as ever. All twinkles and magic. 

Monty and Archie had their wet noses in EVERYTHING!

As 2016 beckons I'm reflecting on last year from a personal viewpoint and with thoughts on how the world has changed this past year. This time before a new year always makes me feel a little pensive, sad even. Don't know why. 

Next year, things are moving in a slightly new direction and I'm excited about that. 

I have many resolutions already written up and I'm looking forward to the simplicity of the New Year after the excesses of Christmas. 

I hope you've enjoyed a merry Christmas and I wish you a very Happy New Year wherever you are

Sherry xxxxxx

Trying to make sense of it all..

The tragic events that took place in Paris on Friday have left me struggling to make sense of it all.

Friday evening began so happily. After a busy week, we were sitting watching Children In Need on the BBC - an annual telethon that takes place to raise money for this wonderful charity. Celebrities give their time to entertain us with sketches, songs and comedy, in return we donate generously, very generously. It's an emotional evening, there is usually much sniffing and sobbing in between the laughter, as films are shown of families who have encountered the most heart rending difficulties. 

As the programme went to a break, the BBC started reporting on events unfolding in Paris. Phones rang, had we seen the news? We sat in silence, the wind knocked out of us. As the evening wore on, the scale of the tragedy was becoming apparent. 

As French president François Hollande prepared to address the congress of the National Assembly and the senate today at Versailles, I was reminded of the happy day we spent there a couple of weeks ago. Some of our happiest times have been spent in France and my heart breaks for them. We are all of us in this together.

Paris, we stand with you x

We Stand Together...

This week..

A little round up of my world this week

My childhood teddy - rather the worse for wear and much in need of a little restoration but still much loved and hugged.

A sweet doll I'm making from The Liberty Book. Her hair needs a little work!

New chair in my workroom! So comfy - love it! 

The crocheted blanket slowly grows!

A sign I saw while out shopping this week - why are there soooo many single socks out there? Literally unbelievable..

A snuggly Saturday last week.

Archie in his new bed. He absolutely loves it! Monty has the same bed. Much snoozing has been happening here.

 Photos from our trip to Normandy. Happy days. 

Also this week I discovered Whole Foods Market. If you live in the US then you're probably very familiar with the chain but in the UK we only have a handful of stores. I went to the Cheltenham store while visiting our sons who live there. Oh my word - bliss.

I have also added this to my Christmas wish list

So it's a colouring book. It's full of Liberty designs. Obviously want. 

I also watched The Dresser this week on BBC iPlayer starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. Emily Watson, Sarah Lancashire and Edward Fox are utterly brilliant. Two hours of bliss. Watch it if you can. You won't be disappointed.

It's Archie's birthday tomorrow! He's such a gorgeous little thing and we love him to bits. He is such very good friends with our darling Monty who spends so much time playing now.

It's a little bittersweet as it's also the day we lost our beautiful Charlie Cat.

 Here's a photo of Charlie on the right snuggled up with his brother Oscar. These gentle and loving boys were rescued from an 'establishment' that bred cats for experimentation. We got them when they were 2 years old and they had never been out of a cage. They discovered grass, birds, freedom, love and were an utter joy. They were great friends with Monty all snuggling up together. Oscar crept into Archie's basket the very day we got him at only 7 weeks. Charlie even appeared on Blue Peter! We lost Oscar earlier this year and our hearts still ache for them. Charlie lived to the age of seventeen and Oscar eighteen. We were so privileged to share their lives and we miss them every day. 

When we picked Archie up as a puppy and were given all of his paperwork, we saw that he was born on the very day we lost our lovely Charlie. 

So tomorrow will be a day of celebration - of Archie's birthday and Charlie's life. 

Happy weekend wherever you are xx

A busy week

Getting ready for Christmas today - sewing, sewing, sewing!

I've made some cute cases for Kindles and glasses, some gorgeous smelling lavender bags and a few key rings. Tomorrow is bunting day. Phew! 

Christmas trees....

Robins....

..and some wordy cases...

I'll get them into my Etsy store as soon as I can photograph them properly - it's been a mild but fairly overcast day. 

How are your Christmas preparations going?

A cosy weekend

Somehow a rainy weekend seems to invite you to sit down and relax. 

There are so many jobs that need doing outside in the garden, including a large buddleia that needs cutting back as it's blocking the light from coming in our cottage window. Is it too late to cut back a buddleia bush? I don't know. 

Anyhow, when it's lashing down outside, things are different...  and boy did we get a drenching while out dog walking on Saturday morning. Plan: 'Let's go out quick now, while it's stopped raining'. Reality - the heavens opened at the farthest extent of our walk. Two drenched humans and two sopping wet, unbelievably muddy and not very impressed labradors returning home. Queue washing and towelling dry two reluctant hounds and then both of them steadfastly refusing to move from in front of the fire. I digress....

When it's raining and blowing a gale, then obviously there's not much to be done outside. I'm briefly overlooking here, the multitude of jobs that could be accomplished inside and that are indeed on my list - I'm a list person. 

So, obviously there's nothing for it but to spend a wonderful afternoon and evening crocheting and embroidering numbers onto an advent calendar I'm making. 

Bliss..... zzzzzzz

Also, note magazines needing to be read. Essential.