Princess for a day - gowns to die for!

A day of musings and thoughts!

So I was out in the garden sowing seeds. I've shown rocket salad and beetroot seeds today. I plan to picklet the beetroots when they have grown. I have a project at the moment and that is to improve the backgarden. For over 20 years we had several leylandi in our back garden and as everyone knows leylandi are greedy and suck all the goodness out of the ground, so now I am busy improving soil ready to put lots of lovely new plants in. Its great discovering all the plants I can grow and the vegetables - grow your own is definitely the way to go. I am so excited because at the beginning of August this year my first crop of potatoes will be ready to harvest.

Have been trawling the internet as usual for beautiful images and I have found so many its ridiculous, so I shall share a few later on. I am seriously getting into ribbon flowers and creating my own. Some good tutorials on You Tube, all seem to be American ladies - don't any English ladies share their craft with the world? At the moment I am working through a beautiful Donna Kooler cross-stitch design entitled 'Home Sweet Home'. Its great, Donna's designs are vibrant and colourful - I recommend any of her books.

Working through my writing course, hopefully getting closer to writing my first novel. I have one story that I started last year and I have come back to now, 29 pages down and several more to go. I don't want to say too much about it at the moment as I am still studying my writing course which I promised myself last year - its a New Year's Resolution that I actually kept! I have recently thought about this story again and perhaps progressing it more. Hopefully I can write a few more pages and really get the story moving. I think a good title for it is The Book Fool so watch out for this in the future as you never know it could be on the bookshelves soon and you heard it here first - if anybody is listening or reading this out there in internet land - somehow I don't think so?!?!?!?!?

Anyway, here are some pretty fabulous images of things that I just adore and thought beautiful after all that is what this blog is all about musings, thoughts and beautiful things - enjoy!!!

Italians do plant a magnificant Garden!

Italian Gardens!

Have been thoroughly enjoying Monty Don's Friday night, BBC2 programme of 'Monty Don's Italian Gardens.' I never knew, through my total lack of ignorance and of never travelling any further than my front door that Italy had such beautiful, ornate gardens, some of them centuries old. The above shots are just a small glimpse of what Italy has in store for you if you visit. The next win on the National Lottery (i.e. hopefully more than a tenner!) I plan a tour of Italian gardens in the foot steps of Mr Don! The by way the book and DVD of the series are available for order on amazon.co.uk. I cannot wait to get my copies, I can watch the DVD until I get over there myself!

That Royal Kiss!

What the Crowds all waited for - that kiss!!

(What a beautiful couple!)

A Right Royal Occasion!

The Wedding of HRH Prince William to Catherine Middleton

Friday, 29 April 2011

The Prince looked dashingly handsome and the soon to be Princess was very beautiful in her bespoke designed wedding dress from the House of Alexander McQueen. Catherine Middleton is everything the Royal Princess. The Wedding watched by billions of people across the world was simply magical. The dress the Bride wore was absolutely stunning. The British Royal family now has a lovely couple hereafter known as HRH The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge - Many Congratulations from a stalwart English supporter of all things Royal.

Another, just to add to the cuteness...

... and another shot of a beautiful baby donkey, this time with her mother!

Donkey Delights!

I haven't blogged again for a while, but I was having tremendously bad laptop problems, basically my old laptop gave up the ghost - poor thing! I have a new one now and everything is working much, much better I am glad to say. I had to show you all this absolutely gorgeous cute photograph. Although the baby is cute I'm afraid its the donkey that I want to point out to you, isn't she the cutest little thing you ever saw - and lying next to the baby you can see just how small she is! Oodles of cuteness!!!

Its that Friday feeling!

Yippee! its Friday and what an exciting prospect of Monday off - Spring Bank Holiday! Three whole days to blog, scrapbooking, cross-stitching, catching up on some quality reading and not thinking about work for three whole blissful days - escape from being a wage slave and not to think about anything boring like work - yuck!

So tomorrow, its off to some serious retail therapy - Saturday morning must! Then, its beauty treatment time, face packs, hair treatments etc., then Sunday its out in the country for a pleasant drive and Monday its out in the garden - weather permitting and tidy up the flower beds - what more could a person ask for!

Its an Irregular Choice!!!

Floral heaven!

Beautiful!

Gorgeous!


Pink Heaven!

I don't know if its just me, but does anyone else agree with me that the heels from Irregular Choice are simply fantastic - like some wild, eccentric, madness in a shoe! Check the web site to see all their fantastic foot goodies, but in the meantime see above for some of my personal favourites!

(web site: http://www.irregularchoice.com/ - enjoy!)

Basia Zarzycka!

I know that I have mentioned Basia on my blog before, but I cannot praise her web site enough, you really MUST check it out at least once. The on-line shop is to die for, okay so the prices will be out of a lot of people's reach, - (WAY out of mine) but its one of those sites that you just have to look at and dream - the bridal couture is amazing. Check out her fantastic web site at www.basia-zarzycka.com. for more fabu-fantastic stuff!! (Go on what are you are waiting for!!!)

The Magic World!

Unsurprisingly, I have a fantastic book by JUDIKA ILLES entitled The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the entire magic world! (can be purcahsed on http://www.amazon.co.uk/ for around £12.00). This is the kind of book that you sit down with on a lazy Sunday afternoon and browse through because it is full of interesting and quirkly little nodules of information. One such piece I found only last night when I was busy 'browsing' my copy of the book. Under the heading of 'Animals' I found a rather interesting ditty regarding "... obtaining a fox familiar" anyone who knows anything about witchcraft knows about witches have animals as their familiars. This was actually written down in a text in the 17th Century according to Judika's research for the book and this is what it says...

Izuna Rite: to obtain a fox familiar:

1. Find a pregnant fox.

2. Feed her, care for her, form an alliance with her during her pregnancy but especially afterwards when she is needy and vulnerable.

3. YOU CANNOT TAKE A CUB, NO MATTER WHAT. When the cubs are sufficiently grown, the mother will bring you one and tell you to name it.

4. Name the fox but the name secret. Henceforth, if you cal lthe name, the fox will come to you in invisible form. No one else will be able to see the fox, only you. Nothing is ever hidden, however, so be prepared for others to attribute supernatural powers to you!

As I say, Judika's book is full of pieces such as this and is truly fascinating! For more information about her books and all about Judika check out her fantastic web site at http://www.judikailles.com

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe - my favourite story!

Follow Mr Beaver deeper into the forest, he can't talk in the open even the trees have ears and some of them are her spies...

As a child I thought C S Lewis's The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe' was simply amazing and awesome. I wanted to be Lucy and go and stay in a big house in the country (although of course not in times of war) and I wanted to discover a big, old, oak wardrobe that took me into the magical land of Narnia. 'Narnia' even now it conjours up images of magic, Christmas time, snowy days, cosy around the fire, hot buttered toast and sweet tea - a cosiness, even though elements of the story are anything but cosy! I love all the Chronicles but my favourite, which I return to time and time again, is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I have seen the Disney movie version which was very good, but I much prefer the 1980s BBC1 adaptation of the story. It was played of a Sunday early evening on the run up to Christmas and was so exciting because the culmination of the story came just before Christmas Day! Memories like that stay with you forever and I guess that is why Narnia and Christmas is one in the same for me.

I often wander what it is about stories like The LWW that even now as an adult I long for. I love fantasy stories, I love the thought of magical lands, of fairies, witches and enchanters. Of castles simply bursting with magic, so thick it drips off your fingers and sparkles on the wall. At the moment I am reading 'Spindles End' a rework on the Sleeping Beauty story which is excellent written by Robin McKinley. Check out her excellent website which details all about her, her books and check out her excellent blog, which I checked out myself earlier today, find all this at http://www.robinmckinley.com/.

I have to say that as an adult I think I appreciate these kind of fantasy books even more than I did when I was a child. Its like visiting Disneyland in Florida, little kids cannot really appreciate just how fantastic it is, and when Mickey Mouse and Goofy wave and pat you on the pack you can't help but smile from ear to ear.

I often wonder is this escapism into fantasy books my trying to escape the humdrumness of my reality, of the dullness of my job and the everydayness of my life, but so what if it is... we all have to go out there and earn our livings and if we can escape into these fantastic stories and be transported for just a short while each day - what's wrong with that! So I will carry on reading all the fantasy fiction I can and continue looking to find my entrance into my own 'Narnia' everyday...

Apologies Blogging World - I've been a poor correspondent of late!

Apologies to any one following my blog. I haven't been on here for a few months, I can only plead busy life and work, but I'm back now to add a new refreshing blog.

I hope you all like these vintage labels from a lady's dressing table. They are fabulous images and would look great covering a bottle filled with rose scented water, talcum powders, face creams and the suchlike.

Imagine using this to wash your smalls! Beats the labels of today's detergents....

... and after a hard day's house work sit back and relax on a plumped up chaise lounge with beautiful cushions to prop you up whilst you sip a sweet tea and eat a sugary cup cake...

Remember, remember the 5 November...

Guy Fawkes

The Gunpowder Plot Conspirators

Remember, Remember the 5th November, gunpowder, treason and plot...

So says the old nursery rhyme. Bonfire Night is not just about parties, fireworks, hot sausages and potatoes and sparklers. It has its roots in English history.

Check out the images above, showing Guy Fawkes and all of the Gunpowder Conspirators. Also for a more indepth insight to the Gunpowder plot and the people behind it check out these fantastic web sites:

http://www.gunpowder-plot.org/

http://www.gunpowderplot.parliament.uk/

http://www.gunpowderplot.co.uk/

Most of all enjoy your Bonfire Parties and stay safe!

Happy Halloween

Thank's to Mary for her positive comments about my blog.

Happy Halloween to all!

Have fun and remember the turning of the seasons!

More posts soon....

Its been a while

Well I haven't submitted a post for months now, since June/July, and its nearly the end of October, but seeing as how nobody seems to read this blog anyway I don't suppose my posts have been missed. Decided to write a few words and add a few piccies as we are going into a nice time of year... All Hallow's Eve (which I always think sounds rather better than 'Halloween'), Guy Fawkes Night and of course Christmas, so I think I will add some rather autumnal/All Hallow's Eve pictures, thoughts and jottings. So if anyone out there who is interested in this blog reads this - hope you enjoy it!

The Birth of Chivalry!

"A knight should be bold, fair, courteous and well-mannered, generous and loyal, not foolish or rash, and should speak fairly without discourtesy. A knight should be all this, and also proud and fierce to his enemies, and kind to his friends."

Durmat, lines 12129-36, c. 1210-1240

Chivalry - The Doctrine of Love!

"...And, indeed, he seems to me

Scarce other than my king's ideal knight,

Who reverenced his conscience as his king;

Whose glory was, redressing humand wrong;

Who spake no slander - no, nor listened to it;

Who loved one only, and who clave to her."

Alfred Lord Tennyson, The Dedication - Idylls of the King (1859)

Chivalry

A knyght there was and that a worthy man

That from the tyme that he first bigan

To riden out, he loved chivalrie,

Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.

Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,

And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,

As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,

And evere honoured for his worthynesse.

Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (c. 1390)

I just love lavender!