Nature provided in abundance

Victoria Plum

Hydrangea Annabel first year of flowering and she gave her all!

walked Bruce (actually he walked me)

Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley donated their fur to birdy nests

 (the Tits took it and their babies were extra cosy)

Mrs Stag Beetle appeared in the garden and then I found Mr Stag Beetle (large antlers - on the right) in the road outside so I brought him home to meet her 

had a go at drying some of the Peony petals

The heat of the Summer was much loved by Fred

his umbrella shielding him from some of the sun

... and like much of the Nation it seems, I learned to bake!

.. and now Summer has done her thing and the logs have been safely stacked...

Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to just let things go..

XxX

.. and suddenly there was all this time to sow seeds

 and sow I did... in every receptacle I could find with loo rolls by far the most effective because they have depth and I could sink them into the ground in their entirety

Mr Darcy (seed whisperer)

a mega chilli (tiny bit scared of this one)

Tumbling Tom

oh, and a lesson in the hazard of turning your back on courgettes..

 

clapping for key workers, ever thankful

a mask sewn and gifted by a friend

Ending each day with a grateful heart

XxX

Tortoise Fred emerges. It is this time for him. 

From what is to us something of a miracle - hibernation

5 months absence and then here he is again!

The felines consult and ultimately agree that no one deserves hydration therapy more than Fred.

- warm spa bath and hot towels - the lot!

..then forth into his Kingdom - the garden of bounty 

munching on the many natural delights..

striding across every inch of the walled garden reclaiming it for his own

While all is well with us here at Haven.

Things are far from well beyond. 

The world at large is in deep trouble.

... where you can, stay home. Rest. Exercise. Listen. Read books. Make art. Play games.

and learn new ways of being still  

Love to you

Keep Safe

X

Re-love the Pre-loved

For me charity shopping isn’t just the delight in discovering a ‘bargain’ but finding items that will stand the test of time.

Items I can wear repeatedly. Items that are quality and deserve to be worn over and over. 

It has taught me the ability to see the worth and beauty in the used. 

I am trying to be mindful of being selective about the items I bring home. 

Channeling Marie Kondo and her approach to having around only those things that ‘spark joy’. 

So I am buying classic pieces that I know I will get plenty of use from and I have begun curating my finds into outfits that truly do my shape and colouring justice and the other things I have in my wardrobe or home.

I hope you will appreciate some of my finds.

Jigsaw top £2 | Watters & Watters skirt £1

Liberty handbag £5 | Spanish made boots £6 | M&S necklace £1 

Oasis skirt £3 | Boden coat £7 | Spanish made boots £9 | necklace 50p

Naturally, Mr Bingley continues to assist me in all my decisions and is responsible

for quality control (self appointed)

... when he isn't recharging his batteries!

Valentines 11 years on ...

We all woke on Valentines Day marveling at the thought that 11 years have passed since Bingley and Darcy joined the Haven household (and ruled it ever since).

How does time do this?

just flash by...

 I've decided I'm going to do a regular 'charity treasure' slot 

featuring some of my more special finds to share the love.

So here is a truly luxurious find - baby alpaca wool cardigan

(£12)

Artist crayons (£2.60). I only know these are expensive new (£43 on Amazon)

due to my lovely friend Kate who is a talented artist so this is a gift destined for her.

I will showcase her work if and when she uses these!

 finally a 'find' of an entirely different sort.. I just have to show you Pepper. 

I met her in a cafe in Marlborough.

She is a rescue.

The Manager told me she is in charge of all customer attention provision.

She is made for the role!

X

delighting in discovery

I rarely ever buy things new preferring charity shop finds.

I love the delight of surprise discoveries.

Here are two recent finds.

The skirt is silk. I love the colours and the way it swings when I walk.

This blanket is huge and that iconic pink/blue stripe so jolly.

Woke to frost on a recent visit to my Mum and Dad in Bath.

I especially loved watching the shifting atmospheric mists as dawn flooded the valley.

Tempus Fugit

"...The falling leaves drift by my window

The falling leaves of red and gold ..."

 November was colourful and cunchy under foot

Festivities were twinkly, happy and a little silly at times

Spot St Mary church tower where I rang in the New Year

escaping the January dark, misty cold

... latest reading stack

All at Haven, especially Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, wish you all love for 2020 

and look forward to visiting you over at your own blogs

X x X