tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4365858856027399202024-03-14T03:10:08.898+00:00 Happy Go Lucky CatCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-66394399759233978782019-02-27T08:00:00.000+00:002019-02-27T08:00:07.246+00:00Wonderful Wednesday: February 2019<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I read an article in the Observer this weekend that talked about the meme that I'd never heard of before but suddenly is everywhere I look. You know the one, which sets out the various seasons that we now have rather than the four we'd always thought there were - Winter, Fool's spring, Second winter, Spring of deception, Third winter, Mud season, Actual spring, Summer, False autumn, Second summer and Actual autumn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We're well and truly in Fool's spring at the moment and while it has been so lovely to feel some warmth on my face when I pop out at lunchtime, it does feel unnervingly early doesn't it?! It's been inspiring me to consider a few other things I can do for the environment because this really isn't right - we should be snugging into our knitwear for a little while longer yet. I've been making a real conscious effort to carry tote bags with me and try to cut down on plastic where I can but are there any other wee things that you do already to make things just that little bit more sustainable that are easily adoptable?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the meantime, on with the highlights of February...which, unlike January which was the longest month ever ever ever, has just flown by...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Shetland</b>... The new series started this month and I've been so excited to have it back on the screen. One of my colleagues was complaining that it's too slow but I completely disagree - I love the fact that the details are drip-fed over the course of the series, generally keeping me guessing until towards the end. Every time I watch it I long to visit Shetland itself too. Bleak, yes, but absolutely stunning. Perhaps this year will be the year I finally make my dream trip up north?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Signs of spring</b>... They're starting to pop up everywhere, have you noticed? And not just because of the unseasonably warm weather. At the beginning of the month, when it was still chilly, I saw my first snowdrops and now I'm noticing them everywhere. We've got some little narcissae daffodils in a jug in the house now and their scent greets me as soon as I walk through the door in the evening. It's lovely. Everything seems to be unfurling after winter and I do hope that they're not all scared away in the no-doubt impending cold snap, or Second Winter if you will. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LO6Zde0luUQ/XHWmNWkIQ8I/AAAAAAAALX4/5fA_TeW1mM0toJSCC62P8TWgvAF8NR7ygCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190202_145944_363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LO6Zde0luUQ/XHWmNWkIQ8I/AAAAAAAALX4/5fA_TeW1mM0toJSCC62P8TWgvAF8NR7ygCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190202_145944_363.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Kitty excitement</b>... This is a highlight from this month but is also *more* a pre-emptive highlight for next month. My mother in law has adopted a 9 year old cat to look after and I'm already SO excited to meet him! He hasn't had the easiest start in life, poor thing, and he's apparently nervous, very vocal and already super affectionate, with huge paws. I can't wait to shake his little paw for the first time and my vicarious pet ownership can live on in him for the time being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Misty mornings</b>...Just as high on my list of favourite things this month as the first signs of spring are the eerily misty mornings we've been having, before the mists burn off as the sun shines brightly for the rest of the day. I've been loving my walk in the morning, fringe tucked securely under my hat to prevent unsightly frizz, trudging through the park watching the ducks and geese disappear into the mist in the distance and the church tower suddenly loom up in the distance. It's quite magical.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8br_-iuyopA/XHWmB-y5zII/AAAAAAAALX0/fu8Yx3XWaLs0A0W0f5QvKX2J6_Dk_CkZgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190205_134306_532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8br_-iuyopA/XHWmB-y5zII/AAAAAAAALX0/fu8Yx3XWaLs0A0W0f5QvKX2J6_Dk_CkZgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190205_134306_532.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Podcasts</b>... I've always loved a podcast but I've really been enjoying tuning into my favourites for my walks to and from work over the last few weeks. I'm so glad that the High Low is back because I feel just that little bit more well-read and erudite just by listening along, and I always come away from an episode with a lengthy reading list, which to me is always the sign of an excellent conversation - and to me, that's what that podcast feels like, a conversation with some supremely well-read and charming friends. Love it. As I mentioned last month, Dolly Alderton's Love Stories is back too (although for the final series, sob!) and I'm celebrating by re-listening to some of my favourites from the first series as well as enjoying all the new episodes. I'm listening to Vanessa Kirby's at the moment and their chat about the pleasure/horror that was MSN Messenger rang just as true as it did during my first listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>A trip to Honest Burger</b>... I've had a couple of delicious meals out this month, I've been very lucky! Early in the month, I met up with an old friend for a long-overdue catch-up over sushi. And later on in the month, my husband and I went into London to visit the Good Grief, Charlie Brown exhibition at Somerset House followed by a trip to Honest Burger. The exhibition was good, wonderful in places, but let down, I felt, by odd 'modern art' interpretations from artists inspired by Peanuts...some of which felt a little too tenuous for my taste. During our visit, most of the people there were crowded around the actual Peanuts comics, initial drawings and videos of Schulz drawing his much-loved characters that it made it difficult to look at them for any length of time. It could have been spaced out a little better if they'd lost some of the filler. I felt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CO06BBLB8BY/XHWl4k2ygGI/AAAAAAAALXw/8jIHpNZhlnc_ANR5bwpRz9DOsa14oNB5wCKgBGAs/s1600/20190217_165714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CO06BBLB8BY/XHWl4k2ygGI/AAAAAAAALXw/8jIHpNZhlnc_ANR5bwpRz9DOsa14oNB5wCKgBGAs/s400/20190217_165714.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But after a few hours wandering around the exhibition and enjoying some artwork that I can't have seen for years and years, we were suitably hungry and burgers were just what we needed. Honest Burger is a real favourite of mine because the restaurants are just so good for us coeliacs. As we were both ravenous, we decided to opt for the monthly special - the poutine burger, which consisted of the burger, smoked bacon, Westcombe smoked cheddar and cheese curds, shoestring fries, cider and onion gravy, onions and pickles, all served alongside rosemary chips. My word, it was fantabulous. I didn't need to eat at all for the rest of the day. Definitely a place to bookmark if you're on the look-out for a good burger in London. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Kickstarter Project</b>... Some of my favourite Instagram accounts are illustrators and I love browsing their feeds either for inspiration for crafty ideas or for creative gifts/cards to give other people. One of my favourite illustrators is <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ninacosford/">Nina Cosford</a> - some of her drawings make me laugh <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BN63y1oAF80/">aloud</a>, others hit very close to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdlCRVqFOUq/">home</a> and I adore her location drawings and travel <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPsYCh6FvYc/">journals</a>. A little while ago, she announced that she would be going on a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, which is one of the things I'd love to do and has probably been on my must-do list for longest, and that she was doing a Kickstarter Project to fund a book of the trip. I've donated to it and excitedly watched the tracker count down until it was well over the target and I'm already super excited to receive my book of the journey sometime this summer. Perhaps it'll finally push me towards actually booking a trip?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Neighbourly cakery</b>... Mid-way through February, a message popped up on my phone from my neighbour saying that she had a glut of courgettes and was planning to turn them into a gluten free cake if I'd like to pop over later that afternoon. You don't need to tell me twice. A few hours later, I was cosied up on her sofa with a huge slice of lemon courgette cake, a large mug of tea and her small dog. The perfect Sunday afternoon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZs9xTUX_eA/XHWmT38M8dI/AAAAAAAALX8/v0THUlW0ZM4uudyFqesC89UWMOQm7B3-gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190223_184303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yZs9xTUX_eA/XHWmT38M8dI/AAAAAAAALX8/v0THUlW0ZM4uudyFqesC89UWMOQm7B3-gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190223_184303.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-90310218132186023712019-01-30T08:00:00.000+00:002019-01-30T08:00:03.592+00:00Wonderful Wednesday: January 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not going to lie, this month has felt about 800 weeks long. Have you all felt the same way? Thankfully, when I stopped to think about it, there were lots of good things to look back on that made January stop feeling quite so very 'January'. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Barbican adventures</b>... We visited the Barbican twice at the beginning of the month. I bought my mister membership for Christmas so we used the card to go to the cinema there because it's like going to the cinema in an old theatre, it just makes it that little bit more special. It's so lovely to get the opportunity to travel to a favourite part of London and spend some time together - regular adventures with my favourite person. We also discovered the members' room, a quiet place to people-watch (it's right over the gift shop) while sipping a cocktail. Methinks we'll be using the membership a lot this year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Dinner with an old student</b>... After university, I moved to Japan where I taught English and foreign culture in a senior school. It's one of my life highlights and I have so many wonderful memories, not least all the incredible students I was lucky enough to teach while I was there. I received a message from one of my old students before Christmas, saying that she would be in London for a few days in the new year if I'd be free for dinner one night. You know how strange it is seeing people completely out of context? That. But incredible too considering how so much time has passed! She was 15 when I interviewed her for part of the English test to enter the senior school and I was 22 - my goodness, how time has flown!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Homemade ragu</b>...the perfect dish for a cold evening. Nuff said really. I raved on Instagram on Sunday about the new episode released of Dolly Alderton's series Love Stories. If you haven't listed to it before, I huuugely recommend the series in which she talks to famous people about the relationships that define them. This new series starts with Stanley Tucci who I could honestly listen to for hours, particularly when he's talking about Italian food. There's something so special about listening to people talk about something they clearly love and this episode had so many moments like that. I listened to it at about 8am on Saturday, curled up in bed with a cup of tea and by the end of it I was craving pasta like nobody's business. I managed to get through the whole day before falling on a plate of homemade ragu later on that evening. Carby bliss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Harry Potter and the Cursed Child</b>... It was absolutely magical. When can I go again?! It brought back all the joy, anticipation and excitement of the news that films were being made of the earliest novels and a new book being released. I can't say anything at all because they really encourage you not to share any spoilers (hashtag keep the secrets) and honestly, I went into it with absolutely no idea what to expect and it was incredible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>A mid-week treat</b>... I follow a variety of artists and designers on Instagram, it's such a fantastic place to discover wonderful creative folk and an array of thoughtful gifts that are just that little bit different. One of my favourites is <a href="https://katerowland.com/">Kate Rowland</a>, who I was really sad to miss at a craft fair in London before Christmas but I took the opportunity to treat myself to some items from her shop in the earliest weeks of January. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was delivered in the middle of what felt like an interminably long week. The postman had left the parcel behind our pots and even having to shake off some rather large spiders didn't lessen the excitement. I'd ordered a hand-made brooch and a zine about her time looking after three shiba inu in a farmhouse in the mountains in Nagano - gorgeous photos and paintings. It's inspiring me to do something similar...perhaps during our holidays this year. It's really one step up from a scrapbook diary, which I love to do for special holidays already.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-cvMTS_4AI/XFC7QjaoHSI/AAAAAAAALHg/QnpMMcsjVaA73dSYhWKbBgwgWl41Df9QwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190109_191846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-cvMTS_4AI/XFC7QjaoHSI/AAAAAAAALHg/QnpMMcsjVaA73dSYhWKbBgwgWl41Df9QwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190109_191846.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e10aP9hAnsU/XFC7j4uMZfI/AAAAAAAALHo/w3UWEsL8pTQWBXr_iyxMlrlF_r_7a62uwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190109_194919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e10aP9hAnsU/XFC7j4uMZfI/AAAAAAAALHo/w3UWEsL8pTQWBXr_iyxMlrlF_r_7a62uwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190109_194919.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Snow</b>... I've realised something. I only really like snow when it first falls, I'm wrapped up warm and walking on an entirely flat surface or I'm cosily indoors looking at it falling through the window. It is very very pretty though but if this realisation is what being an adult is all about, I'll take it.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Easter chocolate</b>... Yes, you heard me correctly. The Christmas trees are only just down but the Easter bunny is alive and well in the supermarket. I am ever so slightly outraged but only slightly, as I adore Cadbury caramel eggs and I'm making the most of this early bounty! I draw the line at anything else though. Maybe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh469aSnJB4/XFC7X_wZwXI/AAAAAAAALHk/71AaEP8ZdmE1ZV7IlSY41IGuNjYFjeIVgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20190127_220310_676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh469aSnJB4/XFC7X_wZwXI/AAAAAAAALHk/71AaEP8ZdmE1ZV7IlSY41IGuNjYFjeIVgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20190127_220310_676.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-54258127599166690482019-01-02T21:27:00.002+00:002019-01-02T21:27:53.014+00:00Wonderful Wednesday: December 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYvi2eBwXp4/XC0oQ70aTOI/AAAAAAAAK8E/AJsJB5Ma8UAgFxLaDJkG_T-IGAo8FMopgCKgBGAs/s1600/20181216_183039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="926" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kYvi2eBwXp4/XC0oQ70aTOI/AAAAAAAAK8E/AJsJB5Ma8UAgFxLaDJkG_T-IGAo8FMopgCKgBGAs/s400/20181216_183039.jpg" width="231" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rounding-off a year's worth of Wonderful Wednesdays with a summary of December's highlights and what a splendid December it was!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm finishing this off on the first Wednesday in January, back to reality with a heavy bump so this reminiscing is very much needed! I've got the Christmas tree twinkling beside me, enjoying the last few days before having to take it down this weekend. Christmas seems to disappear faster and faster each year, as does the year itself. It's a real treat to be able to take the time to stop and look back at some of my favourite moments, to savour them just that little bit longer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></b><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Galleries aplenty</b>... I was lucky to be able to visit lots of galleries over the course of December, visiting the incredible Burne-Jones exhibition for a second time as well as a few hours wandering the National Gallery one evening between Christmas and New Year (including a veritable scrum around Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers'), and a last minute invitation to a Yayoi Kusama exhibition in East London just before Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All incredibly different but offering so much to think about in their own ways. More art this year please.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKvMDhbIVdw/XCvlr5Ss9jI/AAAAAAAAK7o/pxHlUJcCXSUP-4ScNt26gMFyTP_t3tC3gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181221_131336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKvMDhbIVdw/XCvlr5Ss9jI/AAAAAAAAK7o/pxHlUJcCXSUP-4ScNt26gMFyTP_t3tC3gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181221_131336.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-zIKOfmIRc/XCvlr_1RaXI/AAAAAAAAK7o/9ZmTt2MKEU8M8iGO34byevo5bQNQddMrgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181221_192250_291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-zIKOfmIRc/XCvlr_1RaXI/AAAAAAAAK7o/9ZmTt2MKEU8M8iGO34byevo5bQNQddMrgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181221_192250_291.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Puppy spotting</b>... A highlight of *any* month but December's puppy spots were particularly special. One Christmas shopping trip included both a baby boxer dog and a 10 week old black velvet pug puppy. The latter was particularly excited to stop for some friendly behind-the-ear scritches and it made my whole day (/month!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Trips to the theatre</b>... Not one but two trips, in fact! The week before Christmas, I watched a performance of the Box of Delights, which is an old children's story but one which my brother and I discovered through the magic of a slightly terrifying 1984 adaptation that we were bought on video when we were really young and watched obsessively for years afterwards. I only actually read the book recently but have the ability to quote the TV series almost verbatim. So, when we saw that this was being dramatised in London over Christmas, we had to go and dragged our long-suffering other halves along too. (Who doesn't love being quoted at really?!) It was absolutely magical - they'd made some changes to the plot as I know it, included some wonderful Christmas carols and some amazing puppetry (honestly, the dog was incredible). I may have cried a few times but all good tears and came away feeling so ready for Christmas. It was being shown in Wilton's Music Hall - a gorgeous old music hall in Whitechapel, which was a magical experience in and of itself, such an amazing building with so much history. If you get the chance to visit, do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62Z6n7qJsAI/XC0pI9ZUURI/AAAAAAAAK8M/e4DT8oIddg0rexcSx7L6t95Jh3MTwsnSwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181220_234348_833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-62Z6n7qJsAI/XC0pI9ZUURI/AAAAAAAAK8M/e4DT8oIddg0rexcSx7L6t95Jh3MTwsnSwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181220_234348_833.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Between Christmas and the New Year, we also donned our gladrags and went to watch the Nutcracker at the London Coliseum. This was a gift for my mother in law, bought at the beginning of the year so we'd had a long time to build up our expectations and it did not disappoint in any way I've seen this ballet a few times now but I think this was my favourite interpretation yet. It was over far too quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Christmas</b>... Christmas this year was such a delight and will always be one I'll treasure because it was the first time that my husband and I hosted Christmas dinner in our own house. There were 7 of us in total in the day, which coming from an Irish family is a relatively small number, but it was still enough when you're juggling 800 roast potatoes and trying to keep the turkey hot. It all came together though and I felt so very grateful as we were all seated round the table toasting the day, arguing over the bread sauce and reading out bad cracker jokes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB4YNnmMN6g/XC0pPWySRVI/AAAAAAAAK8Q/SnsRQjmqj2kdi6vx6WrAvZvK2Gf8Ff47QCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181222_152354_386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yB4YNnmMN6g/XC0pPWySRVI/AAAAAAAAK8Q/SnsRQjmqj2kdi6vx6WrAvZvK2Gf8Ff47QCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181222_152354_386.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>The time between Christmas and New Year</b>... I stumbled across a tweet by Matt Haig on Twitter, which said "<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; letter-spacing: 0.27px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I love this time of year. I LOVE it. I know we are meant to say 'oh that weird limbo between Christmas and New Year, fuck that' but why? No work. No emails. No expectation. No rat race. No knowing what the actual day is. This is the calendar's safe space. It's bliss.</span></i></span>" and it summed up the time between Christmas and New Year so perfectly for me, whilst at the same time making me appreciate it so much more. I adore Christmas so much and have a tendency to start feeling slightly down on Christmas Eve because it's all almost over but this made me stop and think, and really relax. It is that one time of the year when you can put everything else to one side for a few blissful days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>My own little desk</b>... We hauled the table we've been using in the garden over the summer out of the shed to add extra length to our dining room table for Christmas day. (Long, tenuous intro but bear with me...) Rather than put it away after Christmas passed, I've popped it in the corner of the room, covered it in a table cloth and am using it as my own little writing table - a little space just for me, where I've popped all of my notebooks and pens, and can sit down to draw/journal/daydream away from the kitchen table. I'm loving it! It's a temporary fix because I'd love a proper desk but that's not high on the list of other things we need right now so this will do for the time being...and hopefully encourage me to spend more time doing all of the above!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6a1BJMTcro/XC0qHn2UGwI/AAAAAAAAK8c/GeNqwlMLTAoMm756XpWNgzt5wiLZsYaLwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181231_172447_300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o6a1BJMTcro/XC0qHn2UGwI/AAAAAAAAK8c/GeNqwlMLTAoMm756XpWNgzt5wiLZsYaLwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181231_172447_300.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyhISh_jJTQ/XC0qLsE3fQI/AAAAAAAAK8g/xFvmICLLwnIrW9zgk7Uaqpo23ZG7zdWlgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181226_161607_381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QyhISh_jJTQ/XC0qLsE3fQI/AAAAAAAAK8g/xFvmICLLwnIrW9zgk7Uaqpo23ZG7zdWlgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181226_161607_381.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Wintery walks</b>... I know I've said this a few times already but it's something that I don't think I'll ever stop enjoying and I really hope I don't ever stop appreciating. Since moving out of London, I really notice the change in seasons more and I'm loving seeing these gentle changes as we go for walks through the nearby fields. I'm really enjoying pulling on my boots at hte moment and hauling my chocolate-filled person up a hill, feeling the burn of the cold air in my lungs. Well, the burn is either that or just the sheer quantity of chocolate I've eaten this Christmas. That should really be its own separate paragraph but hey, that's a given right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year, all! </span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: 12.1px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-17054085166179023542019-01-01T12:26:00.000+00:002019-01-01T12:26:31.717+00:00Hello 2019.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeSfze5tGZs/XCpccY8-P-I/AAAAAAAAK50/OQIPKVeAj1QZUe4Z-FesRkVBMJtkzHYXQCLcBGAs/s1600/sylwia-forysinska-1124788-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AeSfze5tGZs/XCpccY8-P-I/AAAAAAAAK50/OQIPKVeAj1QZUe4Z-FesRkVBMJtkzHYXQCLcBGAs/s400/sylwia-forysinska-1124788-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/-_M3CiKiyDk?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Sylwia Forysińska</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/new-year?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Seasoned readers of this little space will know that, rather than set a number of resolutions for the year ahead, over the last few years I've decided to choose a word for the year instead - an intention, of sorts. I love the feeling of a new year, like a brand new notebook it sits before me fresh and unmarked and full of opportunities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I usually start pondering which word to choose when Christmas passes, a word that encapsulates how I'm feeling at this moment in time, but also how I feel looking back over the year that was and what I'd like to accomplish over the year to come. Lots of words popped into my head but after a little thought, I quickly discounted them thinking that they would be too easy to forget as the months pass. I wanted something that encapsulated something more, the little things that are important to me but which I so often lose track off as work takes over - family; friends; my little home and transforming it into our space; travelling and discovering new places; art, writing and the time to be creative in a myriad of small ways; health; and also considering our impact on the world and what can be done to make the world a better place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This year, I've opted for 'priorities' as my word to focus on for 2019, to help me keep sight of the all-important 'life' in the 'work/life balance' and to do my best to prioritise each of the above. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And with that, I'll leave you in the hands of Neil Gaiman who has written many new year wishes <a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2018/12/that-was-2018-that-was.html">over the years</a> and who always manages to send a message that is both touching and empowering at the same time, and so much better than I feel I ever could:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year to you all and thank you for stopping by over the last year, for every comment and every friendship sparked by these pages. Here's to 2019 being everything you wish it to be and more! Do let me know if you've chosen a word or an intention for the year - I'd love to know!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-32443624026940090802018-12-05T07:00:00.000+00:002018-12-05T07:00:00.157+00:00Wonderful Wednesday: November 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M1le_Ung-o/XAbv3VpvcOI/AAAAAAAAKiA/6WJm4-p1CCc6gFjVje-z2x-tuu7YGgKHgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181111_171937_422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9M1le_Ung-o/XAbv3VpvcOI/AAAAAAAAKiA/6WJm4-p1CCc6gFjVje-z2x-tuu7YGgKHgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181111_171937_422.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sneaking this post in at the beginning of December because I wanted to include the very last day of November, which fell on Friday. How quickly is this year disappearing? I'm hugely busy, which is making the weeks fly by but I love this time of year so much so I'm still desperately clinging to these last few weeks of 2018.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Spontaneous days off</b>... I've somehow ended up with a couple of days of annual leave left. While I could carry them over until next year, our summer holiday was a long time ago and it's been a busy few months so I've decided to book some days off here and there to give me a few surprise long weekends in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I enjoyed two this month - on the first one I took myself into London for the day, meeting my husband for lunch and then headed to the Tate to see the new Burne-Jones exhibition, which I'd been excitedly looking forward to for months. I might do a separate post on the exhibition actually so I won't comment on it here, save to say that it was everything I was hoping for - I loved it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MA5YzPf47xw/XAcB7R_vwyI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/g5lcHHot-bEg6PGUmqyPfNXt4bE2FiO7ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181109_165848_237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MA5YzPf47xw/XAcB7R_vwyI/AAAAAAAAKiQ/g5lcHHot-bEg6PGUmqyPfNXt4bE2FiO7ACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181109_165848_237.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Some of my colleagues just couldn't get their heads around my choosing to spend time on my own, not at home but going out to tea or to an exhibition. They just couldn't understand it. Of course it's always good to share experiences with people you love, who are enjoying it too, but sometimes there's just something so freeing about taking yourself out and just spending some time on your own doing whatever you want to do. Perhaps it's something I couldn't have done when I was younger and granted, I wouldn't want to do it all the time but I enjoy my own company or just relaxing with a book and a cup of tea. It's not to be feared. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On Friday, I hopped on the train to Cambridge to visit one of my oldest and dearest friends, and her beautiful new baby. We went out to lunch, cooed over the newest littlest member of her family and I read endless stories about trains to her (slightly) older kiddo. It was fun to catch up but equally fun to escape to my aunt's that evening, who lives close by, for dinner and lots of red wine. I even managed to start my Christmas shopping the next day, a very productive trip!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Autumn walks</b>... We've enjoyed some quintessentially-autumn walks over the course of the last few weeks - kicking our way through the fallen leaves on a crisp day before heading home to enjoy something deliciously warming from the oven. It's stew season and I couldn't be happier!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyjmN0L3MqY/XAcCE5Ty-HI/AAAAAAAAKiU/0EvHl4bRR1sZOhUNdLxqaQQEzyn_97i3gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181118_164125_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gyjmN0L3MqY/XAcCE5Ty-HI/AAAAAAAAKiU/0EvHl4bRR1sZOhUNdLxqaQQEzyn_97i3gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181118_164125_009.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>The first frost</b>... Another highlight from this month, waking up and opening the curtains to see frost glittering across the grass and the hills in the distance covered in the most delicate of white sheens. Leaving the house to walk to work, I noticed my breath clouding in front of me and my eyes stung. I snuggled deeper into my scarf and curled my hands in my pockets as I trudged along. I really need to dig my gloves out from wherever I packed them earlier this year...</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrbo3EkowFc/XAcBxcNfBXI/AAAAAAAAKiM/HpZ9FbIwyoIdfM8Yl2rN12HmS48GFkjkACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181122_205531_163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrbo3EkowFc/XAcBxcNfBXI/AAAAAAAAKiM/HpZ9FbIwyoIdfM8Yl2rN12HmS48GFkjkACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181122_205531_163.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Internet meet-ups</b>... At the beginning of November, I was able to meet up with the lovely <a href="https://www.instagram.com/a.slow.home/">Sam</a> who was visiting London for a few days. We went to Honest Burger and spent an enjoyable few hours putting the working world to rights and laughing a lot! It's so great that the Internet, which is so huge, can enable you to meet some like-minded souls. I've met some dear friends through the magic of my little circles on social media, it's a special thing and worth remembering when the algorithm continues to kick you on a regular basis and it can feel like you're looking into a void at times!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Netflix Christmas specials</b>... I know they're cheesy (beyond cheesy really!) and if you drill down into the storylines, they're not the stuff of Booker prizes but they're warm and cosy and comforting, which is a lot of what Christmas means to me. I've just watched one so far (The Christmas Switch) but I've book marked the others to enjoy in the weeks leading up to Christmas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Getting in the Christmassy mood</b>... Along with my deep-rooted love of Netflix Christmas specials, I've slowly been marking off other little Christmassy snippets to build up the enjoyment and anticipation. I visited the Country Living Christmas fair at the beginning of November with my mum and we enjoyed it so much we've decided to make it a yearly event to visit together. I think I was most excited about visiting the food suppliers - sampling heaps and heaps of cheese, along with a cheeky few festive beverages. I opted for some amazing cheddar and two delicious chutneys, which I'm really excited to bring out on Christmas day...along with a fair few more cheeses that I need to pick up in advance. Pickled onions too, as if there was ever any doubt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We've bought our Christmas cards and I've written the list of people I want to send them to. Now I just need to find some time to curl up and write them. I've picked up a few Christmassy CDs and we've planned our epic food shopping list. Dare I say it, I'm starting to feel a little organised? Here's hoping...</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slwo2-l7e1U/XAcDYCRlRrI/AAAAAAAAKig/vedfacFnPlocP31Z2YWGD8tilK054VIjACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181125_180734_844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-slwo2-l7e1U/XAcDYCRlRrI/AAAAAAAAKig/vedfacFnPlocP31Z2YWGD8tilK054VIjACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181125_180734_844.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hope you all had wonderful Novembers and that the next few weeks are full of love and laughter - the next time I sit down to write this list, the new year will almost be here!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-2446699440520641412018-11-11T19:18:00.001+00:002018-11-11T19:18:30.338+00:00A festive to-do list<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKFTssnJWo/W-h5ejdGkEI/AAAAAAAAKTs/xC87KzuXcy8P41MC2KicWZx7LgOW27hwQCLcBGAs/s1600/freestocks-org-470416-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTKFTssnJWo/W-h5ejdGkEI/AAAAAAAAKTs/xC87KzuXcy8P41MC2KicWZx7LgOW27hwQCLcBGAs/s400/freestocks-org-470416-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/-Qf9JKLysUg?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">freestocks.org</a><span style="text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/christmas?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday my Mum and I visited the Country Living Christmas Fair in London where we spent a wonderful few hours browsing all the festive goodies, picking up some treats and enjoying planning the weeks to come (primarily food-related!) I treated myself to a Christmassy candle, some new decorations for our tree (I do this every year!) and some amazing cheddar and chutneys, which I'm already excited about digging into on Christmas day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love this time of year, it's my favourite. As Autumn gets colder and crisper, the leaves change colour and fall, and then the nights get darker but interspersed with the festive lights twinkling from windows and trees. This year will be our first Christmas in our own home so it feels extra special.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A few years ago I sat down and wrote a wishlist of things I wanted to do over the festive season. It was a really good chance to reflect on what's important to me and all the little things that I look forward to this time of year, so I've decided to do it again this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are a few things that I'd like to spending some time doing over the course of the weeks leading up to Christmas and the festive period itself:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Write Christmas cards while listing to my favourite Christmas songs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Crafting some more Christmas decorations - last year I made reams of paper chains and it was so fun to do and they looked wonderful!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Go out to look at some Christmas lights while sipping on something hot and preferably mulled!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Visit a Christmas tree farm and choose our tree.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Buy a tub of Christmas chocolates (we're a Cadbury Roses household!) to enjoy over the Christmas period.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Decorate the tree by candlelight - bring on all of the hygge cosiness. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bake some festive treats.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Donate to our local Foodbank and Toybank.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Enjoy my favourite Christmas films - Gremlins, White Christmas, Home Alone, Muppet Christmas Carol, The Holiday, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Scrooged...it's a long list and that doesn't even include the cheesy holiday specials on Netflix, which I looooved last year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Attend a carol service.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Partake in some favourite festive foods - mince pies, cheeses accompanied by chutney and picked onions (I could eat them on their own really!), sprouts, bread sauce and allll of the chocolate. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Go to the ballet - this one's already booked, we're going to watch the Nutcracker!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Wrap presents by the tree.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">J<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ólabókaflóð</span> - this is the Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve before spending some time together reading. Isn't that a lovely idea? Apparently people tend to take their books to bed with some chocolate, which sounds extra cosy. We'll probably be very busy on Christmas Eve as we're hosting this year (eep!) but I'm hoping that we can make the time to do this.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you enjoy this time of year? What would be on your festive wishlist?</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-33153613480096531342018-10-31T06:30:00.000+00:002018-10-31T06:30:01.334+00:00Wonderful Wednesday: October 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rseZsBOKA8Q/W9YUUleCPQI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/FVcENI_zES46sCeybdS9mFqhmtlOms0pACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181006_180105_845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rseZsBOKA8Q/W9YUUleCPQI/AAAAAAAAKKQ/FVcENI_zES46sCeybdS9mFqhmtlOms0pACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181006_180105_845.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't believe that a whole month has passed since I last down here and opened up a new tab on my blog page but just like that, I've blinked and it's the end of October. Autumn is properly here, the nights are colder and darker, and I'm ready for all of the cosy things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've had a really productive day today (I'm typing this intro on Sunday) - there's something about having that extra hour in bed after the clocks go back that really encourages me to make the most of the day and still feel rested. We've decanted all of our grape vodka into bottles ready for Christmas, I cleaned the bedding and washed the windows - only inside, mind, I didn't go full Mary Poppins but I now feel extra ready to curl up for the rest of the evening with a book and all of the tea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And without further ado, here are some other October highlights...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Watercolour painting</b>... Did I mention that I signed up for an art class? I've been going for a weeks now and I love it so much. I haven't really done any drawing since school, not properly, and it's something I always enjoyed but wanted a little tutoring in basic techniques to give me the confidence to do a little more. I've always wanted to bring a sketchbook with me when I go on holiday and do a little sketching but then get scared at the last minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been going for a few weeks now and for the last few weeks, I've been able to try watercolour painting which is so difficult but I love it. I love the different shades and textures you can achieve with just the smallest amount of paint. I need to practice more and am hoping to have a real chance to play over the Christmas break but for now, the classes are the highlight of my week - which is saying something for a Monday night! And actually having a proper excuse to buy art supplies is everything I've ever wanted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>A weekend in Derbyshire</b>... At the beginning of the month, we got up far too early for a Saturday morning to make it into London for an 8am train from St Pancras up to visit friends in Derbyshire. Breakfast-less arguments on the tube aside, it was completely worth it. We arrived in Derbyshire mid-morning to be met from the train and we headed to our friends' house via the Chatsworth farm shop to pick up some supplies before heading back to the House itself that afternoon. I'm absolutely fascinated by the Mitfords so it was supremely exciting to go on a Debo-pilgrimage and walk halls she would have walked but even if I didn't have that, I would have still loved every moment we spent at glorious Chatsworth. The leaves were just starting to change colour and it was a beautifully bright day so we spent a good few hours just exploring the grounds (some of that time may also have been spent getting lost in the maze). By the time we stopped for some fortifying tea and cake and wandered over to the house itself, they were letting in their last few visitors of the day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeKesJPW200/W9YUbwBdyCI/AAAAAAAAKKU/Kf-I4FsTUdoMnj4Nmz02rhh0jfzYBKoLgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20181012_191031_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeKesJPW200/W9YUbwBdyCI/AAAAAAAAKKU/Kf-I4FsTUdoMnj4Nmz02rhh0jfzYBKoLgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20181012_191031_011.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To be honest though, the timing worked out really well. Have you ever visited a beautiful country house just before they're closing up, as the evening's drawing in on an autumn day? I hadn't and it was perfect. We had so many of the rooms to ourselves and the silence behind us as the lights were being switched off and the doors closed made me imagine, just for a moment, that I was living there. It was such a beautiful house. I want to go back and spend more time looking at every picture and all the stunning sculptures too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the weekend was spent catching up over a lot of delicious food and cosied up in front of their woodburning stove. The cosiest time with good friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Autumnal cooking</b>... And on the subject of delicious food, I'm so excited about all the tasty treats ahead as the weather's colder. We came home to an amazing beef stew on Saturday after a long walk - my husband had made it in readiness the night before, so it tasted even more delicious the next day when we got home. We served it with some creamy mashed potato and red cabbage cooked in butter and balsamic vinegar, and it was perfect food for a cold day. I've also enjoyed my first roast dinner of the season this month and here's to lots more, followed by an apple and blackberry crumble please. I think this might be my favourite season for food!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Gothic fiction</b>... When I visited my brother a few weeks ago, he was raving about a book he'd just started called 'The Haunting of Hill House'. I hadn't heard about it but as we happened to pop into an amazing bookshop near their house, I picked up a copy, read the back and had to buy it straightaway. (support your local independent bookshops, folks!) I had a couple of books to finish initially and wanted to save it until the nights got a little colder and darker anyway. Saving it until October also meant that I managed to coincide with Jenny's gothic fiction read-along on Goodreads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My goodness, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book but was completely unnerved by it at the same time. I would usually read at least a chapter each night before bed but at one point, when I was close to finishing it, I had to hide the book underneath by bedside table because I was too scared to even glimpse the cover during the night! This book really plays on your imagination and the fact that, for most people, all the terrifying things are already there inside your heads just waiting to be let out. As I said over on Instagram, <span style="background-color: white;">I read an article about this book recently and one particular quote stood out - "houses aren’t haunted – people are. All the most terrible spectres are already there inside your head, just waiting for the cellar door of the subconscious to spring open so they can get out, sink their icy claws into you". That summed this book up completely for me and is why I can't stop thinking about it after turning the final page.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After finishing 'The Haunting of Hill House', I picked up 'The Silent Companions', which is another piece of gothic fiction and equally gripping. I devoured it over the course of a few days and, while I don't think it'll stay with me as long as Hill House will, it was still deliciously creepy. I think the author has a new book coming out soon (if it hasn't already been released?) and I'll definitely pick it up at some point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Gilmore Girls</b>... I know they've made one of these lists before but as the weather started to get a little cooler, I decided to start working my way through the series again. There's something about autumn and Gilmore Girls that goes hand in hand for me. It may raise my coffee-craving levels but that's not really a bad thing, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Autumn spotting</b>... When we visited Derbyshire at the beginning of the month, we went on a mud and mushrooms walk on the National Trust's Longshaw Estate. I don't think I've ever looked so closely at the ground around me on a walk before but we spotted so many different kinds of stunningly-beautiful mushrooms. I'm looking out for them wherever I go now, although it really put me off ever wanting to do any kind of mushroom foraging - there are too many poisonous types, I don't think I'd ever trust myself to get it right!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And that's it for my little October round-up. Happy Hallowe'en to you all - stay safe and warm if you're out trick or treating, and here's to fireworks, spiced hot drinks and the countdown to Christmas during the month ahead!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-26814770426462725182018-09-26T06:30:00.000+01:002018-09-26T06:30:02.001+01:00Wonderful Wednesday: September 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLDPNIdEtXc/W6qDoB4R2xI/AAAAAAAAJvo/3Tn7_ioSZrYZoou0aF9C58EaWy6mm4QGACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180909_171350_713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLDPNIdEtXc/W6qDoB4R2xI/AAAAAAAAJvo/3Tn7_ioSZrYZoou0aF9C58EaWy6mm4QGACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180909_171350_713.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How is it the end of September already?! This month has been particularly splendid, which is probably why it has flown by. I've gathered some of my favourites below so read on for tasty treats, autumnal revelling and some house planning discussion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Anniversary</b>... Beginning with September is a particularly special month for me because our wedding anniversary falls almost mid-way through. It feels so odd to think that our wedding day fell three years ago already - which isn't a long time at all but at the same time, feels like a lifetime ago (in the best possible way!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We were both working this year unfortunately (boo to mid-week special occasions and not enough annual leave!) but went out for a lovely meal in the evening at a local restaurant we'd been saving for this very occasion. It turns out going out on a Wednesday evening makes for a very quiet and cosy night, and the food was amazing. I've been waxing lyrical about the smoked haddock risotto I had ever since too. Yums. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Neighbourly adventures</b>... We've been lucky enough to have good neighbours in the last few places we've lived but we're so lucky to get on really well with the lovely lady next door at our new place - and she's remarkably tolerant to how fond I am of her dog too! We went blackberry picking last month and she came over for dinner a couple of weeks ago - a late night with lots of good food, conversation and a few too many glasses of red wine. It also gave me the chance to make my favourite blueberry cheesecake, which always goes down a treat and makes for a tasty dessert over the course of the following days too (if it lasts that long).</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEHwmtWU4eQ/W6qD239k2sI/AAAAAAAAJvw/k2QkUtEHGbob3SA7fQ3biwV8_Auzr6DjACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180902_125320_773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dEHwmtWU4eQ/W6qD239k2sI/AAAAAAAAJvw/k2QkUtEHGbob3SA7fQ3biwV8_Auzr6DjACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180902_125320_773.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Autumn-spotting</b>... Autumn is here at last but I've been loving spotting all the little signs of it over the course of the last few weeks, from the blackberries and sloes dotting the hedgerows to the slightly crisper mornings and the bite in the air. Bring on all the woollens, I'm ready to get cosy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXp7A9cDrso/W6qDxUS9qnI/AAAAAAAAJvs/HK7oUK7mlicfF4i1XwvMzkhTh2hWDzkDQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180905_195525_277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXp7A9cDrso/W6qDxUS9qnI/AAAAAAAAJvs/HK7oUK7mlicfF4i1XwvMzkhTh2hWDzkDQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180905_195525_277.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Autumn, for me, is also about curling up with something darkly gothic - not too scary, mind, I'm not good with things that are too frightening. But a good old fashioned gothic novel or film, there's nothing cosier. This weekend, we braved the cold and the rain and headed into London to watch 'The Little Stranger' at the Barbican cinema. It was wonderful - beautifully shot and deliciously eerie. I loved it. Full disclaimer though - I did have to turn to my husband at the end and say "you know that bit where I had my hands in front of my face/fingers in my ears, what could you see/hear?" See what I mean, very eerie!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I did push the experience too far though by agreeing to watch 'The Woman in Black' the following evening. I've seen it at the theatre and found it terrifying but thought, I coped with that so this will totally be fine. It was not fine. I've barely slept since. There's a fine line between pleasantly chilling and cosily gothic, and giving yourself a stress headache because you're so terrified. Walk that line carefully, my friends.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1X1x2tSdbI/W6qbagL0VmI/AAAAAAAAJv8/y--zdeuf0lQEpNHLyJ_jehe6_4ASJk-uQCKgBGAs/s1600/20180923_190909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m1X1x2tSdbI/W6qbagL0VmI/AAAAAAAAJv8/y--zdeuf0lQEpNHLyJ_jehe6_4ASJk-uQCKgBGAs/s400/20180923_190909.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Pinterest moodboarding</b>... We're not going to get a chance to do anything major with our little cottage this year but to be honest, that was never really the plan. I have started making plans for next year though and Pinterest is so helpful with that! I'd like to tackle our bedroom first and have been scrapbooking colours, beds (and bedding!) and storage options. I think I need to get a bit of a floor plan going too to plan where things are going to go and maximise some storage. Where do you like to look for homeware? Any recommendations?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Family catch-ups</b>... One of my favourite things this month was finally going to visit my brother and his girlfriend at their new flat in south-east London. We had lunch at the flat before heading out to explore nearby Crystal Palace. The sun was shining, so we took pedalos out on the lake in the park before spending a little while pottering around all the antique shops, going for a few drinks and then enjoying an amazing dinner at an Iranian restaurant you find by disappearing down some steps through a very unassuming doorway. It was one of those weekends in the best of company when you're devastated that it's come to an end! Need to get more of those in the diary - long train journeys, be damned!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-78451927208352741022018-09-06T12:00:00.000+01:002018-09-06T12:00:15.555+01:00Review: Lunch at Indigo at One Aldwych, London (gluten free)<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be treated to a three-course meal at <a href="https://www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/indigo">Indigo</a> at One Aldwych by my husband for my birthday. It was so delicious that I thought I would do a short write-up of our meal (with apologies for the photos, which were just snapped on my phone), particularly because it's an entirely gluten free and dairy free restaurant and so it was extra special to have the freedom to order absolutely anything from the menu.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One Aldwych is a hotel located right in the centre of London - along the Strand and a stone's throw from Covent Garden. We started the day with a stroll around the Southbank and a visit to the Hayward Gallery, before crossing the river ready for some lunch. The hotel itself looks gorgeous, a real treat of a place, with a spa on site too. There's a cocktail bar on the ground floor, with amazing floral displays, and Indigo is located above this with a balcony area (where we were seated) from which you can look down to the bar below.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jKHhiKGJ6g/W4wg5g7-CAI/AAAAAAAAJiU/sDfzk-H7Mx4NXWb93vmioF0g4Ey6SPMVACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180831_145857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jKHhiKGJ6g/W4wg5g7-CAI/AAAAAAAAJiU/sDfzk-H7Mx4NXWb93vmioF0g4Ey6SPMVACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20180831_145857.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We started off with some cocktails while we browsed the menu - a strawberry and basil mojito for me, and a Rob Roy for my husband who likes his cocktails a little old fashioned (read: a little less fruity!). The menu itself changes seasonally, with the ingredients sourced from the British Isles. It was a really difficult choice! When we had chosen our starters and main courses, we were brought some freshly-made gluten free bread with a little bottle of rapeseed oil to dip the bread into. Oh that bread. It was still warm and seasoned with fresh herbs, and like no bread I've eaten at any hotel I've been to recently. In fact, it was particularly sweet as the memory of a hotel we stayed at after a wedding last weekend was still fresh in my mind - where they brought me three slices of burnt stale bread at breakfast, two of which were the ends of the loaf. Bread this good is a life-changing experience for a coeliac!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbUVM2ikEsQ/W4wgyrj6lAI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/ej1NrQN3rMEtyL0Jl9XDuHKUWYlNKaA_ACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180831_145553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbUVM2ikEsQ/W4wgyrj6lAI/AAAAAAAAJiQ/ej1NrQN3rMEtyL0Jl9XDuHKUWYlNKaA_ACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20180831_145553.jpg" width="318" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I opted for the cured Loch Duart salmon to start, which was served with grapefruit, coriander and pur</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">é</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">ed avocado. It was absolutely beautiful - so fresh and light. We both opted for fish to start, with my husband choosing the seared Orkney scallops served with sweetcorn, apple and truffle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNafwg05a4A/W4wpj0fpwHI/AAAAAAAAJig/UXgikSTLolkMl5Nf7RsBh0zuReMsnsxEACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180831_150358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uNafwg05a4A/W4wpj0fpwHI/AAAAAAAAJig/UXgikSTLolkMl5Nf7RsBh0zuReMsnsxEACKgBGAs/s320/IMG_20180831_150358.jpg" width="319" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although I was tempted by the fish and chips because I'm aaaalways tempted by fish and chips, based entirely on the fact that I was going to have a glass of red wine I opted for the Bavette steak instead with hand cut chips. It's not often that a coeliac can have those kinds of chips in a restaurant because they're usually wheaty (for no good reason!) so that was another major factor in the reasoning behind my decision. It was amazing - so tender and accompanied by a salsa verde that added a whole new layer of flavour to the dish. I inhaled it and only then remembered that I should have snapped a photo (hence that's the only one missing here!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After much deliberation, my husband chose the Brixham plaice, served with Scottish langoustine, preserved lemon and fennel, with some Cornish new potatoes on the side. He was as happy with his choice as I was with mine - the plaice itself was particularly delicious, which I can attest to having snaffled an eager mouthful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The courses weren't overwhelmingly huge, which meant that we comfortably had room for dessert and after much deliberation, I choose the strawberries and custard with a digestive biscuit. I was really not picturing what arrived, which was more like a strawberry and custard tart. One taste of it brought me back to holidays in France when I was small and the strawberry tarts I used to love there - a taste I really thought I'd never get to experience again. My husband selected the custard tart with pear and, having experienced a great amount of really unfortunate gluten free pastry, he polished this off. Gluten free dining has come a long long way in recent years but this was another level altogether. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We finished the meal with coffees, which arrived with petits fours. Somehow, we managed to fit them in and were very happily full as we walked back to the station through a very sunny London. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If it wasn't clear from the above, I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Indigo. It's not cheap but for a special occasion, it's a real treat. The staff were lovely and you don't feel rushed in the slightest. I loved every moment. Bearing in mind its location, it would be perfect for a pre-theatre meal and there were so many groups enjoying afternoon teas too (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed, with some impressive candy floss!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do let me know if you've visited One Aldwych or if you're planning to go after reading this! Bon app<span style="background-color: white;">é</span>tit!</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One Aldwych</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">London</span></div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-11630489156367347312018-08-29T06:30:00.000+01:002018-08-29T06:30:07.092+01:00Wonderful Wednesday : August 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVlTGcSN2Kc/W4QT3F0K8eI/AAAAAAAAJXc/zrUJW6Oyx18Vof0LXeoIN6GcdWiyQFMywCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180730_210214_927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVlTGcSN2Kc/W4QT3F0K8eI/AAAAAAAAJXc/zrUJW6Oyx18Vof0LXeoIN6GcdWiyQFMywCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180730_210214_927.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's been a while since I last sat down at my computer and tapped out a Wonderful Wednesday - life gets in the way, as always, and then it turns into a cycle of feeling guilty that I haven't taken part in weeks when I should just take this time for myself but then I don't because it's so much easier to pick up my phone or watch another episode of something on Netflix and then, another week has passed. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I do want to keep up with this tradition because it's a really lovely opportunity to sit and reflect on the good moments, so I've decided to follow <a href="https://www.one-more-slice.com/">Lynsey</a>'s example and opt for a monthly round-up - all of the wonderful but once a month and something that, no matter how busy I get, is completely manageable. All of the goodness and less of the guilt - I'm in!</span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Cooler weather</b>... While the sunshine was lovely at first, it was quickly *too* hot for this pale, freckly creature. This month, for the first time in a while, I've felt a cool breeze on the air when watering my little plants in the evening and it's been wonderful. And as August comes to an end, there's been a bit more of an Autumnal chill going on and I'm excited for it (although slightly scared by how quickly this year is flying by!) Here's to candles, scarves and walks through the woods crunching through the fallen leaves. And on that note:</span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Noticing the seasons</b>... Since moving out of London, I've really stopped to notice the seasons more. Everything was green when we first moved in - the crop fields were lush and budding, and all around were grazing fields full of buttercups and wild flowers, with blossom in the trees. We've noticed the crops continue to grow and over the course of this month, be collected in. Last week, as I left the house to walk to work, there was a powerful smell of manure in the air (that one, perhaps not such a positive) and traces of straw along the side of the road as it had blown off the back of the trucks transporting the bales. Although the year is flying by, I really do feel that I'm stopping to savour the passing of the seasons as I see what's happening around me. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SmHjh_p2co/W4QT-_yhZrI/AAAAAAAAJXg/e5PQA920RMg2R-gdV4fxA2Lzl_aOxVfzgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180820_211017_998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7SmHjh_p2co/W4QT-_yhZrI/AAAAAAAAJXg/e5PQA920RMg2R-gdV4fxA2Lzl_aOxVfzgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180820_211017_998.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Visits from friends</b>... One of my friends came to stay in the middle of August and it was such a highlight this month. She arrived on Friday evening so I met her in town after work, giving her a little tour which coincided with a visit to one of my favourite old pubs. A few drinks and the world put to right later, we headed home to show her the house and to order a curry - the perfect Friday! The next day, we headed to the V&A for a few hours, then grabbed dinner before going to the cinema to watch 'Heathers'. I haven't watched that film in years and had forgotten how much I loved it - there's also something really special about watching an old film at the cinema, surrounded by people who love it as much as you do. Such a great weekend. </span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Long weekends</b>... I'm going to struggle in Autumn because this week is actually another short week for me, falling immediately after the August Bank holiday. I'm not working Thursday and Friday because tomorrow's my birthday, so I've booked the time off! Tomorrow's going to be spent with my Mum - lunch and the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V&A, and then celebrating with my husband on Friday. I actually cricked my neck last weekend so here's to a long weekend in excellent spirits and no injuries! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Blackberry picking</b>... I haven't done this in yeeeears but last weekend, I went for a walk in the woods with my neighbour and her dog, and we brought bags and boxes to collect some of the blackberries dotted all around the woodland. I collected two pots' worth and have frozen them all in readiness for a few crumbles as the nights draw in. I also collected more for my neighbour to add to her collection and this morning, she presented me with a jar of blackberry jam which I'm so excited to tuck into this weekend with breakfast!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last night, we decided to harvest the bunches of grapes that have been merrily growing on our grapevine. A few bunches turned into a few more and it quickly became clear that we had vastly underestimated the sheer quantity of grapes that have been growing! The plan is to turn this vast array into grape vodka, which should keep us going for quite some time...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">August, you've been super. Here's to an even better September!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week/month a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-20044635141925201502018-08-12T19:56:00.002+01:002018-08-12T19:56:49.987+01:00A week in Ortygia, or why everyone needs to plan a holiday to Sicily<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next year we're absolutely going to travel somewhere different. Absolutely. Maybe. Well, if I can find somewhere just as beautiful, fun, relaxing but cultural, and with such good food as you find in Italy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Back in July, we hopped on a plane bound to Catania. My husband had just celebrated a milestone birthday (it's still a few years away for me - phew!) and I was determined to do something really special to celebrate, despite the fact that buying a house earlier this year was also a wonderful achievement and one which used up a fair amount of annual leave (and those all-important pennies).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After some to-ing and fro-ing, we decided to go back to Ortygia - the old town of Syracuse, on the south-east coast of Sicily - where we went on honeymoon a few years' ago. It's quintessential Sicily - historic buildings overhanging tangled alleyways, romance and bustle, and food to make your heart sing. But at the same time, the atmosphere is a world away from rambunctious Palermo, which we visited <a href="http://happygoluckycat.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-week-in-palermo-sicily.html">last year</a>. With our last visit to Ortygia not being too long ago, we knew it would be comfortingly familiar while at the same time opened up options of new things to discover and the promise of a bit of a break as we didn't have to worry about fitting everything in as we'd already done that not too long ago.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Where we Stayed</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We did something we've always wanted to do in Italy throughout all of our previous trips - we decided to opt for an Airbnb to enable us to cook some of the amazing food that you see in all Italian marketplaces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We chose an apartment that was incredibly central, on the Via Maestranza, but really Ortygia is the perfect place to discover on foot so you'll never be too far away from anything. We popped to the market on the first day and picked up an array of treats, and developed a bit of a morning ritual of waking up to fresh coffee, succulent doughnut peaches and a fresh caprese salad. I also found delicious gluten free sliced brioche in the supermarket, which I enjoyed with very liberally-applied Nutella, which is a bit of a holiday tradition for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the evenings, we enjoyed some fresh swordfish - simply fried with a squeeze of lemon juice, a rocket salad and the best aubergine I think I've ever tasted - honestly, anyone who's asked me about the holiday has heard me wax lyrical about this aubergine but unless you tried it you just don't know...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We didn't just eat at home though - having been here before, we had some favourite restaurants to go back to and I've mentioned them below, just in case you ever find yourself in Ortygia at a loss for where to eat.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What we Did</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ortygia is best discovered on foot - its maze of tiny backstreets and its winding paths along the seafront with rusting rails that look fit to crumble at any moment. It's not a 'beachy' location. There are a few tiny little beaches and more further along the coast but the sea front of Ortygia is quite rocky and there's one particular spot where people like to sunbathe/swim from the rocks and a platform is set up there each summer for people to swim from more easily. One morning, we got up early (around 7) and walked down to the seafront. There were just two old chaps there, taking in the early morning sun before going for a swim. The water was slightly chilly to start but you soon got used to it and it was like a delicious bath. We swam out and floated on our backs, looking back at the old city walls and the buildings above us with their faded shutters and peeling-painted fronts. I think I was happier at that moment than I've been in a while. The sea is always my happy place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also went back to the Duomo - the cathedral at the centre of the city, in a beautiful piazza that's particularly stunning to walk through at night. The Duomo was a 5th century BC Greek temple that was converted into a church and you can still see the huge Doric columns inside and outside the church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">One thing we didn't do this time but I'm mentioning it here for anyone taking a trip to Ortygia is the miqwe - an ancient Jewish ritual bath that lies buried beneath the Alla Giudecca hotel in the told Jewish ghetto, called the Giudecca. It's absolutely fascinating - three deep pools that were only rediscovered relatively recently. They were once connected to a synagogue but were blocked up when the Jewish residents were expelled from the island in 1492. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Parco Archeologico della Neapolis</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For me, a holiday isn't a holiday unless it includes a visit to at least one historical place and you're spoiled for choice in Sicily. We visited the archaeological park during our last visit to Syracuse and it was top of my list of must-revisits. There's a Greek Theatre, which this time was set-up for its annual season of classical theatre, the Latomia del Paradiso, deep limestone quarries riddled with catacombs, and the Orecchio di Dionisio or Ear of Dionysius, an eerie grotto hewn into the rock. For a few blissful moments, we were in there on our own without any tourists and it was like stepping back in time. </span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Modica</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On our list visit to Ortygia, we took the train to Noto - a historic little town with stunning red-gold buildings, baroque churches and the best granite (drinks made of crushed ice). Taking the train in Italy is an experience in and of itself so we decided to use one of our precious days to visit the town of Modica - a hill town famous for its chocolate and churches. (I'm a big fan of an old church!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Modica has two distinct areas<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - <span style="background-color: white;">high Modica, where most of the churches are, and low Modica, where most of the restaurants (and the station) are located. I think our trip to Modica fell on one of the hottest days that we were there and it was a long climb and a lot of steps to get to the Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista, a wonderful baroque church which is itself located at the top of its own sweeping staircase. It was so worth it though - the church was beautiful and the views over the countryside were stunning.</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What we Ate</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh Italian food, how I love you so. I know I must have mentioned this about a hundred times before too but Italy is fantastic for us gluten free folk. There's an array of choice in the supermarkets and most restaurants have at least gluten free pasta in the kitchen and generally speaking, a much better understanding of what a coeliac can and can't eat than I've found here (although that is improving every day).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Syracuse region is famous for its seafood, meaty ragus, lemons and tomatoes. If you pop to Noto, you'll get some of the best granite and Modica is famous for its chocolate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I would particularly recommend the following restaurants in Ortygia:</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Trattoria la Foglia, Via Capodieci 21</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the oddest little place - mismatched tables with crocheted napkins, porcelain dolls sitting in the window and a huge old wadrobe are just some of the decor choices making this more Edwardian drawing room than restaurant at first sight but this place is always busy for a reason. The food is amazing - cosy, comforting and very reasonably priced. I opted for the mackerel pasta on our first visit (this time) but the ragu is delicious and the local chilled red wine slips down a treat. Don't miss the local cheese platter either.</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Taberna Sveva, Piazza Federico di Svevia</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This little restaurant is tucked away in a quiet piazza near the castle and is hugely popular with the locals so I'd recommend arriving early or booking a table. It serves traditional Sicilian food. (I went with the sea bass and we shared the house antipasti to start - olives and cheese and meats, oh my!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In Modica, we chose the <u>Osteria dei Sapori Perduti, Corso Umberto I 228-230</u> as it was recommended for its Sicilian specialties and it was very meat-heavy. We didn't have too long there unfortunately because we were keeping a close eye on the train times but it was full of local families enjoying a long lunch. It's one of my favourite memories from our trip though because they made me homemade gluten free ravioli with a simple tomato sauce and it's one of the best things I've ever tasted. It was exquisite, I wish they delivered to England.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are lots of bars in Ortygia but our favourite from our honeymoon (and we were so pleased to see it still running and very popular) was <u>Solaria Vini & Liquori</u> on <u>Via Roma 86</u>. It's a small place, with a few places to sit inside and about 4 or 5 tables outside but the wine list is extensive and it's a wonderful place to sit and people-watch, while enjoying a glass or two of a particularly fine wine. You can also get small platters of food too - cheese, olives, prosciutto and the like. I can wholeheartedly recommend the dessert wine from Noto.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Salute!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And with that, I'm practically booking my next trip again... Do let me know if you're planning a visit to Sicily anytime soon, or where I should visit next!</span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-12031478594038106762018-06-27T06:30:00.000+01:002018-06-27T06:30:12.167+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 55<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Since I sat down at my computer at the weekend and loaded up this dear old page, and typed out <a href="http://happygoluckycat.blogspot.com/2018/06/too-many-tabs.html">a brief ramble</a> that had been going around my head for the preceding days, I've done my best to put my money where my mouth is (was?!) and focus on one thing at a time, to try to give myself time to truly concentrate on a task and do it well. I sat out in my garden on Sunday evening, taking only my book with me and enjoyed a glorious hour or so just reading. Right now, I'm just sipping a cup of tea and taking the time to think back to what has made me smile in recent weeks and it feels like I'm able to think a little more easily, with less actual and imagined background noise going on. I know it'll be a work in progress but here we go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">****</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />♥ </span></span></i><b>A visit from my brother</b>... My brother and his girlfriend came to stay with us this weekend and it was so much fun! I'd been looking forward to their visit all week and, you know when you don't sleep properly the night before Christmas because you're just too excited for the next day? That. I woke up in the middle of the night and was exhausted the next morning, so much so that I had to put a podcast on and have a little power nap first thing in the morning to keep me going!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It was their first visit to our little house and I'm sure that that was one of the reasons for the excitement because I'm just so happy to show it off and have people to stay! And the sun shone gloriously all weekend and really made the visit that bit more special. Doesn't everything look better in the sunshine?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I met them from the train and took them back to the house for a little tour before we headed out for a walk through the fields - they live in London so we wanted to give them the full countryside experience! Just as we were all starting to feel a little parched, we headed back to a brewery shop that's been high on my beer-appreciating-brother's list of must visits in our new town for a couple of drinks in the sunshine (they do a really tasty gluten free beer!) We knew that the weekend was going to be a gorgeous one so we'd decided to do a bbq and it was the best choice really as we sat out in the garden for hours enjoying good food, the sight of the sun setting over the hills and lots of conversation. What good weekends are made of.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5UJ7Qohtfc/WzK5DnAuMcI/AAAAAAAAH_w/3LmAZy2iPT0qrwuZgnz0Vw_1ZE75Y9zXwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="452" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X5UJ7Qohtfc/WzK5DnAuMcI/AAAAAAAAH_w/3LmAZy2iPT0qrwuZgnz0Vw_1ZE75Y9zXwCLcBGAs/s640/1.jpg" width="512" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Stationery</b>... Always always a good thing and something that regularly pops into my list of things that never fail to make me happy. I've been disappearing into the stationery-ogling black hole that is Japanese stationery websites in recent weeks and it has been so much fun. Some people have Asos wishlists, mine is full of notebooks, pens and washi tape but I think I've whittled it down to a few key items that I've decided to treat myself to come payday in anticipation of our forthcoming holiday adventure. Just watch this space! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Sunsets</b>... Haven't they been glorious over the last few nights? The sun is glowing gloriously in the sky behind me as I type this but nowhere near as intensely as Saturday night's fabulously red sunset. I wanted to record this here for posterity because, wow. Have the sunsets been as amazing where you are?</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcbLtDgoimw/WzKjLEc4W5I/AAAAAAAAH_E/3QS6Bzrmc9k5bbT5CQ07I4Nw207LiT-XwCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WcbLtDgoimw/WzKjLEc4W5I/AAAAAAAAH_E/3QS6Bzrmc9k5bbT5CQ07I4Nw207LiT-XwCLcBGAs/s640/2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Books upon books upon books</b>... My parents have visited a few times over the last few weekends bringing with them my books, which have been boxed up at my parents' house for quite a few years since I moved out and into my first teeny-tiny flat with my husband. Opening these boxes up again has been so exciting - they contain my childhood books, my university texts and all the books in-between, comfort reads and books I can't even remember getting. I don't think I need to buy any new books for a while and I still don't know where we're going to put them all but that's half the fun, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Exciting discoveries</b>... I mentioned this over on Instagram at the weekend but on Sunday, we decided to go and look for an old oak tree that one of our neighbours mentioned that's in a field not too far from our house and on which people often hang coloured ribbons. We followed the route that she'd described to us and there, looming in the distance was a huge old oak tree, with a variety of coloured ribbons hanging from the branches. Not just ribbons though, some people had hung medals and little carved items (I think I saw a dove), as well as placing other little remembrance items around the trunk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNt_aixnl94/WzKjan5PKQI/AAAAAAAAH_M/u27-NRifkTIAxXNwV_mR5L_ylEqX9cNnQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNt_aixnl94/WzKjan5PKQI/AAAAAAAAH_M/u27-NRifkTIAxXNwV_mR5L_ylEqX9cNnQCLcBGAs/s640/3.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got home, I got straight onto the computer to carry out a little research into this custom and discovered it's a really ancient tradition dating back to pagan times, when people would hang coloured ribbons in trees as a wish or a prayer to nature deities. I love seeing things like this continue into the modern day, even more so when it's so close by. I shall be visiting this dear old oak regularly from now on!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmvJKw9dgn8/WzKjaYOLj8I/AAAAAAAAH_I/VMj6jMgktL0iMQyauHa7NT0Zb79OqenrACLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TmvJKw9dgn8/WzKjaYOLj8I/AAAAAAAAH_I/VMj6jMgktL0iMQyauHa7NT0Zb79OqenrACLcBGAs/s640/4.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-75698544624833363162018-06-24T17:41:00.000+01:002018-06-24T17:41:08.718+01:00Too many tabs...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMawE3NcGQU/Wy_AaYYq_JI/AAAAAAAAH98/57CQkxpfYuwxuAEoh3-QpGCogOobMeIZQCLcBGAs/s1600/rawpixel-191157-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMawE3NcGQU/Wy_AaYYq_JI/AAAAAAAAH98/57CQkxpfYuwxuAEoh3-QpGCogOobMeIZQCLcBGAs/s400/rawpixel-191157-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/C05KN4h8WKw?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">rawpixel</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/search/photos/typing?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #999999; text-align: start; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out, opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />So, I sat down with my laptop on Tuesday night to type up a Wonderful Wednesday post for the next day and...didn't get any further than the first few lines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I did, however, watch a TV show with my husband, catch up on Instagram and Twitter, browse birthday gift ideas for my mum and research some places to visit during our holiday next month. But if you asked me anything specific about what I was looking at or even what happened in the particular episode we were watching, I doubt I'd be able to tell you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that so many of us are guilty of doing too much, trying to cram too many things into every free moment we have and becoming distracted, particularly by social media (Instagram is a huge vice for me!) I've read so many posts about the quest to spend less time on our phones, which are a real distraction now and especially when you should be doing something else or even just devoting your time to one specific task. When did these little devices become so all-consuming? It's got to the point where I struggle to even sit down and focus on one thing without my brain constantly running through a to-do list of other things I should be doing at that very moment. So instead of just focusing on one task, I'm trying to achieve that <b>and</b> 8 others but getting very little done instead - so nothing is actually getting crossed off the list and the cycle repeats itself. I feel like my brain has too many tabs open and, just like they would on a computer, they're slowing everything down!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How to resolve this? As of right now, I really don't know. I suppose, like anything, it will take work and focus, which is an appropriate word for the task at hand - focusing on one thing at a time. And, as I do in the office when I write my to do lists, I need to look at things in terms of the order of importance and just cross them off, one at a time. And, perhaps most importantly of all, recognise that when I'm doing something relaxing like reading a book, watching TV with my husband or sitting down to collect the happy highlights of the previous week, that those things are good and necessary too, so I shouldn't have to try to cross off other must-dos at the same time. Just being a little more mindful in my actions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you guilty of the 'too many tabs' mentality too?!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-51234507626903490262018-06-01T19:13:00.000+01:002018-06-01T19:13:09.658+01:00Review: 'The Keeper of Lost Things' by Ruth Hogan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nG2voZcEUI/WxGIHkQAMPI/AAAAAAAAHfM/VBzjwvRaZh0XGaLv4c4xmt6xWoy5lSbJACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180526_182000_242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="452" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nG2voZcEUI/WxGIHkQAMPI/AAAAAAAAHfM/VBzjwvRaZh0XGaLv4c4xmt6xWoy5lSbJACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180526_182000_242.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The engagement on Instagram has been at a real low in recent weeks and I know I'm not alone in noticing that. My feed, which for a while seemed to be vaguely chronological, has reverted to a really illogical order and I'm seeing posts from some of my favourites days later than originally posted or sometimes not at all. But in weeks where the general activity is at an all-time low, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjP7F9UDEad/?taken-by=happygoluckycat">this book</a> generated almost as much comment as the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgLawI3HjZf/?taken-by=happygoluckycat">Eleanor Oliphant post</a> did before it. And I love engaging in book chat and hearing from people who love a book as much as I do or recommend others I might enjoy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And I really enjoyed this book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's the cover blurb:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Anthony Peardew has spent half his life collecting lost objects, trying to atone for a promise broken many years before.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Realising he is running out of time, he leaves his house and all its lost treasures to his assistant Laura, the one person he can trust to reunite the thousands of objects with their rightful owners.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But the final wishes of the 'Keeper of Lost Things' have unforeseen repercussions which trigger a most serendipitous series of encounters...</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whimsical, absorbing and completely charming, I devoured this book in about a day and a half. There are a few stories woven through the main arc, which I enjoyed and kept me guessing how they would tie together in the end. The main characters themselves are as lost as the items collected by Anthony over the course of the years but in fulfilling Anthony's wishes, they are brought together and begin to discover what's important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've read some reviews calling the book 'twee' but I was very much in the mood for that, it was a deliciously comforting book that was a pleasure to read, with wonderful well thought-out characters and moments of real humour and sadness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you read this book? Do drop me a comment and let me know what you thought if you did, as well as what you're currently reading and any other books you'd recommend - I need to build up a list pre-holiday!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-50348691727948226502018-05-09T06:30:00.000+01:002018-05-09T06:30:07.002+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 54<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxX_Y4oJdg8/WvH17WcFX-I/AAAAAAAAHLw/whNN0dUIALk0oHiR1-X1yHzuq0UUeSqiwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_20180506_192714_201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="478" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxX_Y4oJdg8/WvH17WcFX-I/AAAAAAAAHLw/whNN0dUIALk0oHiR1-X1yHzuq0UUeSqiwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_20180506_192714_201.jpg" width="318" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm typing this post from our garden on Tuesday evening, one which really feels like a Monday thanks to our long weekend so Friday's going to be an even more pleasant surprise than usual. It's slightly cooler than it has been over the last day or so but still warm enough to sit out here sipping a cool drink, listening to the birds and watching the sun set over the hills in the distance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I could probably write an entire Wonderful Wednesday post dedicated only to this moment right now but I suspect that that would be quite dull to anyone other than me, so here are a few other things that have made me smile over the last week...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Bank holiday weekends</b>...but more particularly, <b>this</b> bank holiday weekend we've just had and I think that's entirely down to the weather. The sun shone gloriously all weekend and the beautiful long days made the weekend seem that little bit longer, with the extra day on top. It felt like a real holiday. I'm counting down the days to the next one already - just a few weeks to go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Visiting and visitors</b>... We had just the right amount of socialising and time at home this weekend. We went to visit some friends for dinner on Saturday night, my first trip into London for a little while!, and then had another friend over to us on Sunday - we went for a walk through the fields to a cute little local pub then back home for lunch. Lots of food, chat and sunshine - now that's the recipe for a good weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Yoga</b>... After hurting my back earlier this year, I fell out of the habit of rolling out my mat on a weekly basis but on Sunday I woke up, craving a good ol' stretch before starting the day. Before the feeling passed, I hopped out of bed and chose a morning routine to follow. Wow it was tough, I really noticed the difference after having let it slide for a few months, but it felt really great to get back on the mat. A real boost to start the day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>The garden</b>... Finishing this post off full-circle but I couldn't not mention all the wonderful moments spent in the garden over the last few days. On the Saturday, we cleared some of the weeds out of the multitude of pots left behind by the previous owner and the piles of leaves that had blown into the corners of the garden over the months that the house had been empty before we moved in. Next weekend we're hoping to get some more dry weather to pick up some bright blooms to plant in the pots beside our front door and cheerfully welcome us home each evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We didn't do much else work-wise in the garden over the rest of the weekend (although my husband did clean out the old bbq that had been left in the hope of more good weather to come) but just enjoyed having a space to sit out, read and chat. We sat outside drinking Pimms on Sunday afternoon, before retreating inside again for dinner as it was a little *too* hot, then took our tea outside again later. We were sitting there just reading and chatting, while our neighbour did the same next door with a visiting friend and her little dog just ran back and forth through the gate between our gardens, before settling down on her own little cushion on the floor. It was perfect. We did the same again on Monday but also took our breakfast out in the morning to enjoy the sunshine before the heat of the day. It was only three days but it felt like a proper break, it was magical.</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-43239448819843127062018-04-25T06:30:00.000+01:002018-04-25T06:30:03.313+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 53<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A short but sweet round-up this week as I type this frantically on Tuesday night after getting home late from a seminar. A good excuse to look for some choice happy moments, amongst my yawns! On with the good times!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Walks in the sunshine</b>... Over the last few weekends, I've really felt like I've been able to stretch my legs for the first time since we moved in. It's amazing what a boost some good weather brings. We've started to explore more of the area, which is so different to the suburbs of London where we've always lived together. There's actual countryside pretty much on our doorstep and I'm loving it! I feel like I can breathe again.</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On Sunday, we walked through some fields near our house, following some footpaths that had thankfully mostly dried out over the last week of sunshine. We passed a few dog walkers but for the majority of the time, it was just the two of us; fields of horses, gorgeous blossom and blissful silence. We even discovered a field full of forget-me-nots, absolutely beautiful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Gardening</b>... This last weekend was so wonderful! We'd been saying all week that if it lasted to the weekend, we wanted to get out into our little garden and have a good old tidy. It was the perfect weather for it really - not as hot as the days preceding it and with a refreshing breeze. I had the easier job, digging all the weeds out of the pots, while the mister chopped away at an abundance of ivy that had grown everywhere during the long winter months. We'd picked up a few plants earlier on the Saturday - only a few until we really plan what we'd like to do with the space and go to a garden centre, but enough to add a splash of colour here and there. My little chilli seeds that have been sitting in a pot on our windowsill for the last few weeks finally started to sprout this weekend too - hopefully they'll be ready to plant outside in another week or two!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Summer drinks</b>... I popped into the supermarket on my way home from work on Friday, searching for something cooling and refreshing to sip out in the garden after a long hot week and discovered a new drink that is going to be my go-to choice this summer - Belvoir's Cucumber and Mint Press<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.1em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;">é</span></span></span>. My goodness, it was everything I was looking for and more. Cooling, refreshing, sweet without feeling like all my teeth were going to fall out. Super tasty - give it a try if you spot it! I poured myself a glass as soon as I got home and sat out in the garden watching the red kites soar overhead and a few hot air balloons over the hills in the distance...and felt my shoulders drop and all the week's tension ease away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Lunch breaks</b>... I'm dreadful for not taking a lunch break. I pop downstairs to heat up some soup, bring it back up to my desk and before I know it, the hour has passed without me stirring and (on occasion) with my soup sitting cold beside me. I know it's not good and I do really notice the benefit in the afternoons when I do pop out for a quick walk outside. Over the last week, thanks to the sunny weather, I've been popping out a little more and it's been lovely. Even Monday, which was oddly chilly again (boo!), I popped out for 15 minutes and read my book in the park. Here's to taking a few more well-deserved breaks.</span>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></span></i></div>
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Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-68033726548939987792018-04-11T06:30:00.000+01:002018-04-11T06:30:11.791+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first full week back to normality and it's so difficult - I thought last week's two day week was long enough, that was nothing at all! Thank goodness for an opportunity to focus on some good things, which was even more therapeutic than usual this week, including:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Our first (non-family) visitor</b>... Our friend B came to visit this weekend and it was so exciting to be able to show off our new home and the little town that we're now living in! It unfortunately wasn't looking its best in the dreary weather but at least some of Saturday was dry, enabling us to explore the town spotting some little signs of spring (like the magnolia tree below which is almost blooming), stop for a little drink in a cosy pub and pick up some snacks for the evening. We then headed back to our house to give him the royal tour and set up our bird feeder (discussed further below!) With the weather being so dreadful, it was actually super cosy to then be able to batten down the hatches, drink red wine and watch movies. Now *that's* how to do a dreary Saturday right!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Anemones</b>... I love these fragile-looking flowers, with their ruff of foliages balanced atop a surprisingly robust stems. I always seem to miss out on picking any up because blink and you'll miss them in the shops. But this weekend I popped out looking for some gorgeous blooms to replace my flagging tulips and was so excited to spot the last bunch in our local supermarket. They're so beautiful!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Birds</b>... I think I mentioned before we even moved in but I was very excited at the prospect of getting a bird feeder for our little garden as there seem to be heaps of wee birds around, and I was so aware over the past few really cold and snowy months how important it is to make sure there's food around for birds at this time of year in particular. This weekend we picked up a bird feeder and some peanuts to fill it with and hung it from one of the trees in the garden. It then proceeded to rain for the rest of the weekend so there were limited birds flying around but I've already spotted one or two having a tentative peck. Go go gadget birdwatching!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>First Aid training</b>... A slightly tenuous good thing (!) but last Thursday evening, I was home alone and I dropped a heavy glass and metal pan lid on my foot. Oh my goodness the pain! I nearly fainted with the pain and at first, just sat down and put my head in my hands which didn't help at all. I've been on a first aid training course at work and thankfully that kicked in quickly so I did what you should do if you're feeling faint - lay down on the floor and propped my legs up. After a few minutes, I was feeling a whole lot better although my foot was still throbbing. It thankfully isn't broken, just bruised. Now, if there was a course for clumsiness I'd be straight on that. First aid classes for all though - I recommend them so much!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Countryfile</b>... There was something odd about our last flat - despite being a hilly area, it was so difficult to get a TV signal. We're now connected again so able to watch TV in real time, which means Countryfile on a Sunday evening! Is there anything more comforting?! This was shortly before the new Sunday night Agatha Christie on the BBC - one more episode to go and I still can't work out who's responsible. Is anyone else watching it?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9xg7tqV08Q/Ws0IgpyqWMI/AAAAAAAAF4M/A2Bbw-yQ0OMnIxlHfHs9qWbHnyaUUVDNwCEwYBhgL/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l9xg7tqV08Q/Ws0IgpyqWMI/AAAAAAAAF4M/A2Bbw-yQ0OMnIxlHfHs9qWbHnyaUUVDNwCEwYBhgL/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-60416952416430760762018-04-06T11:00:00.000+01:002018-04-06T11:00:27.138+01:00Review: 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' by Gail Honeyman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao76kvTCfjI/WsP9L8kyQiI/AAAAAAAAF1w/nrsbrK9pucENa5i1NfG4QBwwPZBkThh5QCLcBGAs/s1600/Eleanor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao76kvTCfjI/WsP9L8kyQiI/AAAAAAAAF1w/nrsbrK9pucENa5i1NfG4QBwwPZBkThh5QCLcBGAs/s400/Eleanor.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If ever there was a post that got people talking on my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/happygoluckycat/">Instagram</a> page, it was when I shared the above photo and said I was reading 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine', and despite the fact that I had only just picked it up I was already completely hooked. So many people commented saying that they loved this book and whizzed through it but a few others said exactly the opposite - a bit of a Marmite book then, you either love it or hate it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I joined a book group over on Instagram just over a month or so ago and when it came to choosing our first read, I suggested this book because I'd seen quite a few people reading it (usually on the tube!) and it had been on my wishlist for a while, so this would be the perfect excuse to pick it up. It was delivered to my office on a Friday morning, I started it on the train home that evening and had finished it by Sunday night - I'd probably have devoured it sooner only I had packing to do but I ran back to it every moment I could. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What can I say without giving any of the plot away? The blurb on the cover reads:</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive - but not how to live.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted - while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she's avoided all her life.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than... fine?</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Eleanor is such an interesting character and I really enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes, and how she reacts to things which are so much part of the usual course of everyday life. While I guessed some of the elements that are gradually fed to you over the course of the story about her history and the events that have taken place, that didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book in any way. I was rooting for her so completely. She's a joy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Living in a city and looking at people all around you, going to work, travelling home, all in their own little bubbles, it really made me a think a lot about loneliness and how it's possible to feel lonely, even when you're surrounded by people everyday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the perfect book if you're looking for a real comfort-read, something to lose yourself in completely. It won't change your life but it's just a wonderful, heartwarming story and everyone needs at least one of those on their shelf. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you read this book? Drop me a comment letting me know what you think - I find that a lot of the fun of reading is also sharing and discussing it afterwards!</span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-1577836802227799702018-04-04T07:30:00.000+01:002018-04-04T07:30:34.262+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 51<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vC9ODaRv3G8/WsP4h0oNBLI/AAAAAAAAF1g/rGhTKF1q6uA8pCfxpJmAaU0TJyg1loDSQCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1182" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vC9ODaRv3G8/WsP4h0oNBLI/AAAAAAAAF1g/rGhTKF1q6uA8pCfxpJmAaU0TJyg1loDSQCLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="368" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Well, we're all moved in and it all went surprisingly smoothly (touches every piece of wood in sight that I'm not jinxing something going forward). I'm sitting at our kitchen table looking out of the window at a completely different view to the one I've been used to for the last few years. Now if only the sun would shine ever so slightly, although if it could wait until the weekend actually that would be splendid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But despite the grey grey grey weather, the past week has been full of sunshine in heaps of other ways and here are a few of my favourites...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Short weeks</b>... A four day week either side of a bank holiday weekend is all kinds of wonderful and I really wish they were sprinkled a little more regularly over the course of a year but perhaps I wouldn't treasure them so much when they did happen in that case? I think I would. I'm actually not back to work until tomorrow so this week is only two days' long - not too shabby at all, even if the sun didn't shine at all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Our own little place</b>... It feels so wonderful to be all moved in at last and we keep looking around in shock that it's actually ours, having been renting for so long. It's our third place together but the first one that we've owned and every so often I have to remind myself that we can decorate it exactly as we choose, and move away from that distinctive shade of landlord-approved beige that you always seem to find in rental flats. My to-do lists are only increasing or being replaced with yet more tasks but these are only the most exciting ones; full of DIY plans, furniture options and shades of paint colours.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Lovely neighbours</b>... We've been so lucky with our neighbours in all the places we've lived and I know how important it is to have people you can rely on next door as my parents have lived next door to some of theirs for years and years, and they're almost like family now - even coming to our wedding a few years ago. We knocked on the door of one of our new neighbours over the weekend to pick her brain about rubbish collection (why is it always so different in each place you live?!) and were invited straight in for a cup of tea and a chat. I could feel my shoulders just drop instantly, I had no idea that I had been feeling slightly apprehensive about this, but one wee chat later and I felt so much more relaxed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>London adventures</b>... While we may have moved out of London, we're still close enough for trips into the city and we ventured in a few times over the long weekend and during our time off together afterwards. On Easter Monday, we visited the Tate Modern for the last day of the Modigliani exhibition, which we'd been lucky enough to get tickets for. I'd been raving about this since I first went during the Christmas holiday and I was so pleased to be able to visit some of my favourites again, and discover some new pieces which hadn't caught my eye the first time round. Isn't that often the way? There are a couple of prints I'd like to save up for and buy for the house so it was productive too!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Isle of Dogs</b>... I love love love Wes Anderson's films and when I saw the trailer for a new one focusing entirely on dogs, it was instantly added to my must-watch list. We went to watch it yesterday and I already want to watch it again. I had the hugest grin on my face the whole way through, I loved every moment - it was hilarious and oh so heart-warming, with an oracle-spouting pug - what's not to love? Also, London-dwellers, we went to watch it at the Barbican. I've never been to the cinema there before but it was lovely - perfectly angled (and comfortable) seats and a great size screen. A lovely experience. Also a cloakroom, which as we were wrestling a not-insignificantly-sized shower caddy was a very welcome bonus.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><span style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>All of the chocolate</b>... I gave up chocolate bars and cake for Lent, as well as sweets (I have a serious Percy Pigs habit) so it's been bliss to be able to tuck in again since the weekend! I'm really trying to eke out my Easter chocolate though...I think I say this every year but I don't know why it always tastes so much more delicious in egg form.</span><br style="text-size-adjust: auto;" /></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-2810165163508178402018-03-28T06:30:00.000+01:002018-03-28T06:30:33.431+01:00Wonderful Wednesday 50<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sporadic posts at the moment because we're moving house this week and the last few weekends (and a fair few evenings) have been a whirlwind of packing and checking off items on ever-increasing to-do lists. It's all so exciting though so definitely a good *break* from posting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought I would try to sneak in one last Wonderful Wednesday before the move though because, despite letting our internet provider know that we're moving and the precise date that this is happening, I have a feeling that it may not be line up quite so exactly...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, very much short and sweet this week, but here are a few of my happy snippets!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Reading</b>... Sadly, reading always seems to be one of the first things to take a hit when I'm feeling stressed and it feels like I just don't have the attention span to focus on the words or the story. Although we're so busy at the moment, I've been making the time to read more on my commute and in the evenings before bed, and it's the perfect way to wind down at the end of a long day. I devoured 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' in the space of a weekend because it was such an enjoyable and engrossing read, and am currently reading 'The Glass Painter's Daughter' - it's not challenging but I'm enjoying it and loving the Pre-Raphaelite references.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN_bj5qeypg/WrffDU0OqnI/AAAAAAAAF0o/0xG-q8c-YRwg61ZORHD84A5Ta8ikZZmDQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cN_bj5qeypg/WrffDU0OqnI/AAAAAAAAF0o/0xG-q8c-YRwg61ZORHD84A5Ta8ikZZmDQCLcBGAs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Spring</b>... and the clocks changing really makes such a difference, doesn't it?! I'm ignoring the talk of more snow forecast this week (it's just showing rain at the moment!) and focusing on the extra sunlight of an evening and the hint of warmth in the air over the weekend. It might even be time to pack away my winter coat and scarf soon but in the meantime I'm loving walking home while it's still light, no matter how late I leave the office!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Breakfast</b>... Despite a very busy weekend, I made sure to take some time to savour breakfast - Sunday a little more than Saturday as we had some people arriving early to view the flat (first thing on a Saturday morning, really?!) My breakfasts during the week are usually squeezed into a 10 minute (at best!) window with the emphasis being more on speed of tea to mouth delivery than any kind of proper ritual to begin the day. Weekend breakfasts on the other hand - tea, cereal of some kind, then toast and orange juice, accompanied by the paper or a good novel. It's a thing of great beauty and sets me up for the day magnificently.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvzUb6DE6Iw/Wrf6MWDPmWI/AAAAAAAAF1I/UDkXSSA7O2AUo_td1dE8038odjYcUi6dQCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvzUb6DE6Iw/Wrf6MWDPmWI/AAAAAAAAF1I/UDkXSSA7O2AUo_td1dE8038odjYcUi6dQCLcBGAs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Goodbye Dinners</b>... Not saying goodbye to friends, but to two favourite food places from the area in which we're currently living. On Saturday evening, after a full day of packing, we treated ourselves to a curry from our favourite Indian restaurant. We had initially planned to go to the restaurant itself but after spending all day wrestling with packing boxes, tape and bubble wrap, the thought of leaving the house paled in comparison to a takeaway on the sofa with a movie ('The Big Sick' - loved it!) A perfect last Saturday night in our little flat.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On Sunday, my parents came for a visit and so that my Dad could help us take some furniture apart. We then headed to a favourite pub in the area where I'd booked a table for lunch. We all opted for the Sunday roast - chicken for me, with roast potatoes, peas, runner beans, the tastiest braised cabbage I think I've ever had and lashings of gravy, all washed down with a glass of wine. It was so tasty and we were so ravenous that I forgot to snap a photo so you'll have to take my word for how delicious it all was! Good food and good company, a real treat of a final weekend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>London</b>... So, when we move tomorrow, we'll actually be leaving London, which feels rather like the end of an era. I've left before - university and a few years abroad after that - but I knew they weren't permanent. While it's been amazing to live in various parts of London with my husband over the last few (8!) years together, it was time for a change, somewhere a little larger and in an area we felt happier putting down roots. So we're moving out of London, close enough to still be able to get into town when we fancy it, but far enough away to give us a little more space.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's to a new and exciting chapter!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpCQuci14zE/Wrf4qTry5OI/AAAAAAAAF08/22KbDDnf2O4KkeCDqZV3izcMG7kxu77lgCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EpCQuci14zE/Wrf4qTry5OI/AAAAAAAAF08/22KbDDnf2O4KkeCDqZV3izcMG7kxu77lgCLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-52497909734484909862018-03-07T06:30:00.000+00:002018-03-07T06:30:25.506+00:00Wonderful Wednesday 49<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixWC4Q6ZQ_M/WprcbCrFW1I/AAAAAAAAFzs/mogwdoNj7yAcgGdKvXSQtX6YcTzqGCyfACLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ixWC4Q6ZQ_M/WprcbCrFW1I/AAAAAAAAFzs/mogwdoNj7yAcgGdKvXSQtX6YcTzqGCyfACLcBGAs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's late on a Tuesday night as I type this intro. I'm in my PJs and my bed is looking really inviting, although there's no doubt that it'll look even more inviting to me on Wednesday morning when I'm checking this went up ok before I dash out the door to run to the station. So short and sweet as ever with this little blurby section and onto the goodly roundup. Happy Wednesday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Cooking</b>... I know I'm really really lucky to have a husband who does the cooking. I could say it's because he's always home earlier than I am, which is true, but doesn't apply at the weekends and yet, he still does the vaaaast majority of the cooking because (a) I can be really lazy and (b) he's so good at it! But there's one thing I can still do better than him, which is a risotto and the other week, after popping a butternut squash in the week's food shop, I had a craving for a roasted safe and butternut squash risotto. My goodness, it was tasty and the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter's evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Fargo</b>... Now I've been marathoning this for a couple of weeks now and I keep wanting to talk about it to anyone who'll listen. It's a series inspired by a 90s Coen Brothers movie (which is also SO good) and there are three now, all on Netflix. If you like your crime dramas slightly out of the ordinary, with an abundance of black humour and some amazing characters, stop what you're doing and watch this right now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Porridge</b>... I may be writing about this about four months later than most of the porridge-loving Wonderful Wednesdayers, but I picked up a box a few weeks' ago and this weekend's cold spell felt like the perfect time to break it open again. I'm ready to rock some exciting flavour combinations (Miss Sally, I'm looking at you!) but this weekend's just called for a sprinkling of brown sugar and I was happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Surprise weekday meet-ups</b>... On Tuesday I had a seminar in central London and met up with my brother for dinner afterwards. We headed to Bodeans in Soho and caught up over BBQ, fries and ice tea (well, I had the ice tea, he had a beer...on a school night and everything). It was a wonderful end to a day that involved a lot of reading about trusts followed by a two hour seminar on trusts and actually, I enjoyed every moment of it! 1000 extra geek points to me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Snow days</b>... Last week was so cold, wasn't it?! I don't remember ever experiencing weather like it over here before. So so pretty as long as you didn't have to actually go out in it. My walks to work on the first day it fell were gorgeous but when the wind started the next day, swiftly followed by blizzardy snow, I felt slightly afraid that I wouldn't be able to get home from work! So on Thursday, I headed home from work early and stayed there on Friday - I got lots done, with the added bonus of being able to curl up in all the layers, my cosiest socks with a pot of tea on constant refresh. Our new house is about a 15 minute walk from my office so I think (unless the next few weeks continue in this Siberian-vein), this will be my last snow day for a while! I'm glad I made the most of it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpD-KrvNHAE/Wprc7SY4LSI/AAAAAAAAFz0/jAF-5okGbtg49itPhctJ-TTyd0vU8shpQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tpD-KrvNHAE/Wprc7SY4LSI/AAAAAAAAFz0/jAF-5okGbtg49itPhctJ-TTyd0vU8shpQCLcBGAs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Cosy weekends</b>... I did have plans with my Mum this weekend but neither of us really felt like heading out into London to brave Saturday's icy slush, so we rearranged to next weekend, which left me with two glorious days with no plans at all (save for beginning to pack). I'd saved my new issue of the Simple Things to enjoy with breakfast on Saturday morning and it was bliss; curling up with a big mug of tea and some toast and Nutella, peeping out of the window at the garden covered in snow and not moving until I'd read it cover to cover. We did venture out of the house a few times but only to pick up some paint and other DIY-odds and ends, and then back to chez nous to start the epic pack-up, pausing for more cups of tea and food. Productive and restful, I'd say that's a good weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Throwing things away</b>... I don't know why it usually takes me until I'm moving out of a place to go on an epic de-cluttering session - they're so cathartic!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2dkybC1_4/WprcwcVhE1I/AAAAAAAAFzw/M2wv38kh1msmUHyT7N2YHBg0ho5MXX4MgCLcBGAs/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ak2dkybC1_4/WprcwcVhE1I/AAAAAAAAFzw/M2wv38kh1msmUHyT7N2YHBg0ho5MXX4MgCLcBGAs/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-57740954617146694272018-02-21T06:30:00.000+00:002018-02-21T06:30:20.648+00:00Wonderful Wednesday 48<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peGoy0wreQM/WommJkOlaHI/AAAAAAAAFzE/UZdQKdxAWSco6VypOuQq9tzQRqNed7kEACLcBGAs/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peGoy0wreQM/WommJkOlaHI/AAAAAAAAFzE/UZdQKdxAWSco6VypOuQq9tzQRqNed7kEACLcBGAs/s400/1.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes these little introductions just roll off my fingertips really quickly and other days, it's a little more of a struggle. Today's is because I'm bursting to share some exciting news so perhaps I should just skip straight to it, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Our first house</b>... The very exciting thing that I've been keeping to myself for a little while now is that my mister and I will soon be moving into a little house of our very own. I didn't want to jinx it until we'd exchanged and that happy day took place last week! We're not moving until the end of March but now that we have the date confirmed and in the diary (fingers crossed nothing goes wrong in the meantime!) the planning can truly begin. And by planning, I mean I've started writing the mother of all lists and I'm so excited about it! On that note, if you're looking for organisation-inspiration generally, check out Lynsey's fantastic <a href="https://www.one-more-slice.com/2018/02/i-stay-organised-can.html">post</a> on how she stays organised. I'm speaking as someone who loves organising and it's the stuff that dreams are made of!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Country Living magazine</b>... Following on from the above, I picked up a copy of this magazine at the weekend for some home inspiration. 'How to create the modern country look' is exactly what I'm going for in terms of home decor. Before I started reading the magazine though, my attention was caught by a little plant booklet that fell out and I spent a happy few hours browsing for plants for our new garden. We have a garden in our current flat but we just didn't have the inclination to do anything with it because it's not <i>ours</i> and we knew that we wouldn't be staying here for longer than a few years. With a place of our own, I want to start with a little herb garden (perhaps in pots to begin with?) before deciding what else to plant where. I'm also on the lookout for bird feeders so I can sit and look out at the birds as I eat my breakfast in the morning. I'll be cutting my commute right down so hoping that I won't have to start the day in my usual whirlwind of frantic activity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Instagram takeover</b>... Proud wife claxon! My husband has been chosen to do a week's takeover of Telegram Gallery's Instagram feed. Pop over and take a look - link <a href="https://www.instagram.com/telegramgallery/">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Shetland</b>... It's back! I absolutely adore this crime drama and my husband and I marathoned our way through the first three series fairly swiftly last year. Series four has just started and I'm going to have to wait for each new episode to arrive on IPlayer, which is tough, but I love it and I'm already enthralled (and every time I watch it I want to visit Shetland oh so much - despite the seemingly terrifyingly high murder rate for such a small island!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>A fresh bunch of tulips</b>... They've been popping up all over my Instagram feed for a few weeks now and I picked up a gorgeous multi-coloured bunch for my parents last weekend. On Saturday, while I was cleaning the house (accompanied by the Greatest Showman soundtrack!), my husband popped out and came back with the gorgeous bunch at the top of this post and they've been cheering up our kitchen ever since. I could quite happily have bunches all over the house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Domestic Sluttery</b>... Have you heard of this site before? It used to be a blog, which I loved so much - a collection of interesting articles, links to things to do/see, wonderfully inspiring people and a round-up of not-to-be-missed treats from sales around the internet. It stopped a wee while ago but returned (last year I think?) as a daily newsletter and I look forward to it everyday. You can sign up via their site <a href="https://www.domesticsluttery.com/">here</a>. Monday's newsletters are always about a wonderfully inspiring woman, with last week's being Emily Dickinson - someone who I've heard mentioned a lot but knew shamefully little about. They included excerpts of some of her poetry and one really stuck with me (that's the second time that's happened this year, harking back to <a href="http://happygoluckycat.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/a-poem.html">this post</a>. Perhaps 2018 is the year I discover poetry?!) so I thought I'd share it here so you can all revel in its gorgeousness. Happy Wednesday, my loves!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>"Hope" is the thing with feathers</u></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Emily Dickinson)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Hope" is the thing with feathers - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That perches in the soul - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And sings the tune without the words - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And never stops - at all -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And sore must be the storm -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That could abash the little Bird</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That kept so many warm - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've heard it in the chillest land - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And on the strangest Sea - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet - never - in Extremity, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It asked a crumb - of me.</span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-2385387032368443192018-02-07T06:30:00.000+00:002018-02-07T06:30:00.237+00:00Wonderful Wednesday 47<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ds41apukiP8/WnjI1AVxleI/AAAAAAAAFyw/JqVF3hIFVH0UqXFCiuPbNi2wnXBcwMJ7wCLcBGAs/s1600/Hello%2BFebruary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="637" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ds41apukiP8/WnjI1AVxleI/AAAAAAAAFyw/JqVF3hIFVH0UqXFCiuPbNi2wnXBcwMJ7wCLcBGAs/s640/Hello%2BFebruary.jpg" width="363" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Image found <a href="http://mini.reyve.fr/hello-fevrier-avec-mathou/">here</a> - with the option to grab this cute image for your phone!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Hello and happy February to you! The sun is shining as I type this introduction on Sunday, which bodes well, although it's freeezing cold. Don't get me wrong, I will take the cold and crisp day over the slightly warmer but damp (hello humidity!) day. The sunshine and the slightly lighter evenings and mornings fill me with all the happy feelings that spring is well and truly on its way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As mentioned in my last Wonderful Wednesday, I had two dear friends visiting last week and we went to Brighton for a short trip during this period. I'm planing to do a separate catch-up post on that when I get a moment so it won't feature in this week's Wonderful Wednesday round-up although it was very much one of the most wonderful things from the last week. There are plenty of other splendid things to mention though so without further ado...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Taking a week off in January</b>... I don't think I've ever taken a week off in January before - usually I feel that Christmas wasn't too long ago and I need to power on through until Spring at the very earliest before using too much of my precious annual leave but having friends visiting at this time of year was a bit of a revelation. I didn't realise quite how much the post-Christmas darkness and cold had already taken their toll and this break was a much-needed boost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />♥ </span></span></i><b>Old friends</b>... Following on neatly from the above, isn't there something particularly special about old friends? Friends with whom you don't need to explain yourself or fill the little silences because they've known you for so long that it's just not necessary. I feel so lucky to have these kinds of friendships in my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Blossom</b>... I spotted the blossom in the photo below as I was walking through my local park to the station at the weekend. It was bitterly cold, despite the sunshine and glorious blue sky, but I glanced up and saw the pretty pink blossoms dancing in the breeze. These little buds, together with the snowdrops, first signs of budding daffodils and crocuses beneath the trees made my heart soar - we don't have too much left of this dark side of winter!</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhQx8-xXvl8/WneFcVt75CI/AAAAAAAAFyk/0VcQx9NvhAkEhpLRlinpWKmB2gxKVPmGACEwYBhgL/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fhQx8-xXvl8/WneFcVt75CI/AAAAAAAAFyk/0VcQx9NvhAkEhpLRlinpWKmB2gxKVPmGACEwYBhgL/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Pinterest</b>... I fell out of love with Pinterest for a little while but I'd forgotten how useful it is as a tool if you're planning something and looking for creative inspiration, as well as then falling into a rabbit hole of distraction. I'm busily pinning to a top secret board at the moment but that doesn't stop me from stumbling across all manner of other lovely images to pin at the same time. Are you on Pinterest too? Do let me know and you can find me <a href="https://www.pinterest.co.uk/happygoluckycat/">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>The Greatest Showman</b>... Slightly late to the party here but we went to watch this at the cinema last week (after having fish and chips for dinner - what a great day!) and it was so so wonderful and just full of sheer JOY. I'm listening to the soundtrack on Spotify as I finish typing this post ('This Is Me' on repeat, if you're interested) and I think I'm going to have to treat myself to the album at some point in the future because Spotify's ad breaks really pop up at the worst possible moments!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span></span></i><b>Stationery</b>... I'm sure I've mentioned this on a previous Wonderful Wednesday (if not several) but it's getting a special mention again this week because one of my friends brought me a selection of treats from Japan and I'm so happy about it! I will bore on about Japan at length to anyone who asks, honestly you should all be adding it to your must-visit lists immediately if it's not already close to the top. The food, the culture, the history - there are so many reasons to love the country but included on my list of favourite things about the country is the amazing stationery. Honestly, if you love a planner as much as I do and can't leave a stationery store without adding to your collection of notebooks, the stationery options in Japan are to die for. One thing I am guilty of, unfortunately, is just not using my stationery collection so I'm determined to do so this time - I have stickers, post-its and washi tape aplenty - it's time to get creative!</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_VkKJ1QB0E/WneFcLbN-II/AAAAAAAAFyg/AQpHUXeQNeceGmtb7t6zZhzgol40OJunwCLcBGAs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t_VkKJ1QB0E/WneFcLbN-II/AAAAAAAAFyg/AQpHUXeQNeceGmtb7t6zZhzgol40OJunwCLcBGAs/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></i></span></span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-64980763885411511292018-01-24T06:00:00.000+00:002018-01-24T07:20:32.727+00:00Wonderful Wednesday 46<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGZkUqSCiNA/WmejYxwqzQI/AAAAAAAAFyE/HeSkLC37zOwUzSZNcz_dHzc_cK_d6h4dgCLcBGAs/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BGZkUqSCiNA/WmejYxwqzQI/AAAAAAAAFyE/HeSkLC37zOwUzSZNcz_dHzc_cK_d6h4dgCLcBGAs/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />Hello and happy Wednesday to you. How have you been?! We begin today's broadcast with the sad news that unfortunately, I'm not able to put yoga on my list for the third week in a row because I hurt my back over the weekend - and not even in a triumphant yoga-based injury. I've actually got to the stage in my life when cold weather can make me pull a muscle :) Thank goodness for hot water bottles and cosy beds, and a sprinkling of the other highlights set out below...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Moments of kindness</b>… With everything going on in the
world at the moment, it can be so easy to despair of humanity and living in a
city, particularly one as busy as London, it seems like rudeness, rushing and
busyness just takes precedence. This is why looking for the good in a week
makes such a difference because when you do stop and look, there are always snippets of happiness to be found. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">My
husband and I were in Norfolk at the weekend visiting his mum for her birthday.
We had tickets booked for the 8pm train out of London on Friday and had treated ourselves
to seats in first class because we’d booked the tickets a little way in advance. The
guard stopped to chat to us after checking our tickets when a lady walked
up to him looking very distressed - she had thought it was a train to Romford,
not one making its merry way to Norwich. You hear such dreadful stories about
those moments and being forced to pay expensive penalty fares on top of the fact
that you’re already heading in the wrong direction, which adds an age to your
journey. This man could not have been nicer to her – he helped her plan the
route she needed to take to get her to her destination as quickly as possible
from one of the timetabled stops and told her that she could stay sitting in
first class until she got off the train. There was an old man sitting at a
table-seat across the aisle from her and he insisted on fetching her a cup of
tea from the buffet car too as she looked so upset. They were probably
wondering why there was an eejit grinning in their general direction from a few
rows back but still, it made me feel happy to see and I’m sure made a stressful
situation infinitely better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7LfFXhCyyQ/WmejYz-PVkI/AAAAAAAAFyA/ORE9U8B14TEcdPDyRIC3WFU-1taY6e5fACEwYBhgL/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7LfFXhCyyQ/WmejYz-PVkI/AAAAAAAAFyA/ORE9U8B14TEcdPDyRIC3WFU-1taY6e5fACEwYBhgL/s400/2.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Back pain aside, the weekend was wonderful and it was lovely to escape London for a few days. A particular highlight was our Saturday morning brunch at Frank's Bar in Norwich - a cafe/bar on one of Norwich's cute little lanes. The food is always amazing and we stayed there for a few hours nursing hot drinks to begin with, ordering extra to give us an excuse to stay longer. I can wholeheartedly recommend the spicy edges with chipotle mayo, particularly on a chilly day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Birdwatching</b>… I
know I’ve mentioned my mother in law’s gorgeous garden on previous Wonderful
Wednesdays. It’s not a riot of colour in January, unsurprisingly, as
everything is cut back ready for spring, although there are daffodils beginning
to pop up and snowdrops adding little glimmering patches of white if you look
hard enough. But my mother in law has feeders full of seeds and nuts hung
around the garden for the birds all year round and there’s something so calming
about sitting beside the window with a steaming mug of tea, just watching them.
There were blackbirds, robins, wood pigeons and bluetits, but the highlight of
all highlights – a beautiful male pheasant strutting around the garden with his
harem of wives, three of them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Radio silence</span></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">… The Internet wasn’t working all
weekend while we were away and, in deepest darkest Norfolk, there was no phone
signal either (apart from when we popped into Norwich for a few hours on the Saturday).
It was the oddest feeling and made me really notice how often I pick up my
phone to mindlessly browse the Internet – Instagram usually! I don’t think I’d
like it for a lengthy period of time but it made me focus more on whatever else
I was doing at the time – watching a movie, reading a book or slowly working my
way through my mother in law’s pile of Country Living magazines (bliss!)</span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3ZpXbxEsyo/WmejYlhK59I/AAAAAAAAFx8/ff8LIeKHZiMZ1zOlVRzQmB1VW7XwkwzhwCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3ZpXbxEsyo/WmejYlhK59I/AAAAAAAAFx8/ff8LIeKHZiMZ1zOlVRzQmB1VW7XwkwzhwCEwYBhgL/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Saturday morning brunch</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Pizza</b>... Totally shamelessly including this because I'm munching it on Tuesday evening as I write this post. It's an excellent example of the gluten free genre (thank you Schar!) made slightly more exciting by the addition of olives, chillis and extra cheese. In fact, it was so delicious that I'm slightly jealous of past-me as I hit 'post' on Wednesday morning - cornflakes just aren't the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Short and sweet this week, and I'll be away with friends next week - they're arriving on Friday and I can't wait!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></span></span></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-436585885602739920.post-15256761387223574692018-01-17T06:30:00.000+00:002018-01-17T06:30:38.878+00:00Wonderful Wednesday 45<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WEJqutmtAQ/Wl5ScEQCWpI/AAAAAAAAFxk/rcPLK4YcjFEXZkEEs6lS17Q5oci0Nr6zQCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WEJqutmtAQ/Wl5ScEQCWpI/AAAAAAAAFxk/rcPLK4YcjFEXZkEEs6lS17Q5oci0Nr6zQCEwYBhgL/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And just like that, Wednesday's here again! Somehow they seem to come around a lot quicker when you're noticing the good things in between!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This was a Sunday snap but is also remarkably similar to what's happening on Tuesday night as I put the finishing touches to my happy snippets. There has been notebook planning, a cup of tea or two and as soon as I finish this, I'm heading to bed with my new book - it's the first Dorothy Sayers book I've read and I'm loving it so far. I do love to cosy up with an old fashioned murder mystery. What are you reading at the moment? Let me know in the comments below, as well as what has been particularly delightful over the course of the last week. Mine are below! Happy Wednesday all :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Snowdrops</b>... I spotted my first snowdrops of the year on Saturday morning. Snowdrops were my Nanny's favourite flower and so every time I see them, I think of her and wonder if she's looking down on me. Saturday's were a particular highlight and I'm taking them as a good sign of things to come....not just the first sign of spring and slightly lighter mornings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Quiet Sundays</b>... While I did my yoga on Sunday morning, my husband went for a run and came back with a newspaper, which we sat and enjoyed over a leisurely brunch and big mugs of coffee. The rest of the day was spent pottering at home, catching up on laundry and plans for the week to come, reading and blogging. It was so well-needed and I started the week feeling refreshed and on top of things (with an empty laundry basket - woo!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Trip planning</b>... Two of my dearest friends are coming to stay at the end of the month and we've been excitedly trip planning for a little while now. As they've been to London on a few different occasions, we've decided to spend a few days of their visit in Brighton. We've booked an airbnb, which I'm really excited about as it looks like a lovely flat which we'll have all to ourselves in a good location, and we're currently looking at all the different things to do - mostly food-related because that's how we roll. How many afternoon teas in one short trip are too many? Asking for a friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Daylight</b>... It's happened! As we were walking to the station yesterday morning, I suddenly noticed that I could see a short way in front of me and the flashing collars on the dogs being walked ahead of us weren't the first sign of a dog in the distance. The mornings are officially a little brighter already - spring is on its way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </i></b><b>Yoga</b>... Can I really have this on my list twice in two weeks?! Well, it's my blog so I'm going to. This week's #YWAtrue has got quite a bit tougher but in return, so much more satisfying. Those 30 or so minutes that are truly all my own each day leave me feeling so positive and energised. It stretches away any hint of tension in my back and shoulders, and I feel ever so slightly taller each day.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3K4OjxCuXwY/Wl5ScdEo6TI/AAAAAAAAFxo/14RtYv2xmqE4Mcr-tOX0-xHaK8U9jEVdgCLcBGAs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3K4OjxCuXwY/Wl5ScdEo6TI/AAAAAAAAFxo/14RtYv2xmqE4Mcr-tOX0-xHaK8U9jEVdgCLcBGAs/s400/2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.5px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥ </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do let me know what's made your week a little rosier by leaving me a comment below or dropping me a tweet (I'm @happygoluckycat) or better yet, why not join the fabulous bunch of #WonderfulWednesday bloggers? Pop over to their blogs for a dose of mid-week happiness - <a href="http://sallytangle.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://lifeoutsidelondon.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://roastchickenandacountrywalk.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Helen</a>, <a href="http://appreciatetheday45.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kate</a>, <a href="http://theperfecthidingplace.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jo</a>, <a href="https://paperlilacs.blogspot.co.uk/" style="border: 0px; color: #b6d0d1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sam</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeasunusuals.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kerri</a>,</span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://elleaime.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 20.79px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.daydreamsofsummertime.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Sarah</a>, <a href="https://24hoursintoday.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Peta</a>, <a href="http://www.bloomingel.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #6699cc; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">El</a>, <a href="https://ltswonderfulwednesdays.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Laura</a>, <a href="http://www.mutedmornings.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Mimmi</a>, <a href="http://sweetietulip88.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Martina</a>, <a href="http://www.one-more-slice.com/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lynsey</a>, <a href="http://whatkatiewrotenext.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #888888; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Katie</a> and <a href="http://homemooed.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #729c0b; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Em</a> (I think that's everyone - shout at me if you're not on the list!) - and then join me in counting down the days until the weekend. It's in sight! </span><span style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">♥</span></span></i></div>
Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277498092934651296noreply@blogger.com8