Category Archives: Lifestyle

April 11, 2019 · 11:36 am

Thoughts on a Spring Day

It’s so good to finally feel warmth at last, in the air, on my face, and bones, and here at the stone circle. Taking in sunshine under one solitary soft cloud.

I stood awhile and listened to the bleating of the sheep in the field opposite. Ewes watching lambs frolick and leap in the sun.

I placed my palms face down on the ancient granite and felt the heat warm my hands. Absorbing centuries of energy, it felt like being charged, zapped. How many others have done this before me. 5,000 years of people passing through. A shepherdess droving, a Pict defending, smugglers, soldiers, farmers, all on their way.

Specks of dust. Rays of sun. Year on year. Don’t blink. You might miss it.

Snow falling on The Machars

There’s nothing quite like waking to freshly fallen snow. That gentle blanket softening the edges and muffling the usual sounds of daybreak.

I dressed quickly, wanting to be out and explore before anyone corrupted the perfection. Down the lane, a camelia blushing in the cold dawn light.

On, past the Bookshop, and down to the harbour, an unusual peace, no birds, traffic or schoolchildren, just a gentle hush .

The little nursery, hibernating for the winter, glistening in the first rays of morning. Ominous clouds building on the horizon. More snow on its way…

Painting with stitches?

‘Love is the flower of life, and blossoms unexpectedly and without law, and must be plucked where it is found, and enjoyed for the brief hour of its duration.’ Quote by D H Lawrence.

Stunning embroidery by renowned artist Alison Holt. Take a look at her website, really interesting work.

Her work is a marvel, at first I thought this recently acquired piece was a painting, but it is in fact stitched. So clever, such talent. Alison’s work is sold for thousands of pounds.

I have this fabulous garden embroidery by her for sale in my shop.

This is a rare, collector’s item, and won’t be around long. I’m very tempted to keep it.

What do you think?

Alison Holt:

“Each piece is a combination of silk painting and stitch. The painting creates depth, perspective and richness to the work and combines effectively with stitch to give detail and texture

I started to explore my love of the countryside, flowers and gardens through the medium of embroidery finding it the perfect vehicle to express the colours, textures and shapes I find so fascinating. I try to combine in my compositions a sense of light and an interesting juxtaposition of colour, shape and texture. I aim to capture moments in time as an artist who has colour, line and texture to play with. I consider myself a painter that uses threads, an artist that draws with a sewing machine.”

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Filed under blossoms, collecting, Craft, fine art, flowers, Gardening, Interior Design, Knitting, life, Lifestyle, love, Musings, painting, Textiles, Vintage

Tagged as antique, embroidery, fine art, gardening, hobby, knitting, sewing, stitching, textiles, threads, vintage

March 18, 2015 · 10:14 pm

Posh Pedro and his Party

As a special request – you know who you are! – I have included another post about Pedro the Spanish Wonder Dog.

I took a photo of him today, outside, with the sun on his back, wearing his rather tasteful Birthday Bandana. Pedro says Hola! and thanks ever so for the party and the fabulous prezzies. I think his favourite gift was a bumper size pack of Gravy Bones.

Mmmmmm. Ewwwwww. Quite revolting!

Welcoming Pedro has been a fabulous, rewarding, entertaining, lovely experience. Everyone tells us how lucky we are.

He is a rescue dog with no issues. He has lovely manners, is very sociable, with an excellent sense of humour. He isn’t demanding or needy, is ever so obedient, and most charming of all, Pedro is a demonstrative, loving hound. His favourite pastime is to hop up on the sofa (nawty!), and gently nudge you with his soft little snout until you stop reading, typing, chatting or snoozing. He will then put a paw on your shoulder whilst you rub under his chin or stroke his ginger ears. He loves that. If you stroke his ears long enough he goes into a little trance and eventually keels over and falls asleep sprawled over your knee.

I’m struggling to remember what life was like Pre Pedro. Mud free. Dog hair free. Smelly soggy toy free. A bit empty?

I’d love to hear your experiences, do you have a rescue puppy?

Does your dog have a wardrobe to match Pedro’s?

6 Comments

Filed under Community, Dogs, Dogwalking, Lifestyle, Pets, Writing

Tagged as Adana, Bandana, dogs, Pedro, pet birthday, pets, puppies, Rescue Dog

March 2, 2015 · 8:04 pm

Sarah Coventry – ‘For the Woman Who Dares to be Different’!

Charles Stuart founded Sarah Coventry Jewelry in 1949, named after his granddaughter.

Stuart was very forward thinking for his time.

He had no in-house designers, but relied on out sourcing from freelancers. He then put these designs out to be made in various local factories, rather then having his own manufacturing base. He was also quite innovative in his selling techniques, replicating the Tupperware and Avon models, using house parties to get people talking about his affordable jewellery, using the strapline – ‘Dare to be Different’!

This word of mouth marketing strategy made Sarah Coventry one of the most popular jewellery brands of the 20th Century.

You can own an affordable – dare to be different – piece of history, and a signed antique of the future by clicking on these beautiful earrings.

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Filed under Jewellery, Jewelry, Lifestyle, Musings

Tagged as antique jewellery, antique jewelry, Avon, costume jewellery, costume jewelry, dare to be different, earrings, Sarah Coventry, Tupperware, vintage

February 27, 2015 · 10:08 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEDRO!

This is Pedro. We think he is two years old today.

Or maybe yesterday.

Possibly last week. Anyway, he’s around two. We don’t know for sure because he’s a rescue dog. From Spain. He was dumped on a roadside in St Pedro when he was about 2 or 3 months old. And that’s why he’s called Pedro. Duh.

He’s the best dog I’ve ever had. Actually, he’s the only dog I’ve ever had.

In Spain his main activity was finding the shadiest spot and lying there. All day.

In England his main activity is wagging his tail incessantly and standing by the front door, which is a massive hint that he’d quite like to go to the park and chase the ducks.

He wasn’t at all impressed by the snow. Which is fair enough if you’re a Spanish dog.

And like lying down in the shade. All day.

He was taken to a rescue home in Estepona, which is where he found us. And trotted over to us. And sat on my feet. Curled up. And didn’t move until we’d agreed to take him. He’s cute like that. He’s cute full stop. If I could have a £ for every person who comes up to Pedro and Me and says – ‘what sort of dog is that?’ Pedro and Me would be living in Spain. Lying down in the shade. All day.

To celebrate. He has had a new bandana. Red with blue paisley. And cheese. He’s partial to Cheddar.

If you know what sort of dog he is please do tell?

We just say he is an Andalusian Sheep Dog. Feliz cumpleaños Pedro!

(Click on the top photo for information about Pedro’s brothers and sisters in the Rescue Home in Estepona)