Coming up for air

Sorry for being such a terrible blogger lately. The old saying 'it never rains, but it pours' is one which I have found great solice in repeating to myself over the past couple of weeks. I don't usually like to write about the mundane, stressful and sad parts of my life. I have considered it several times; not wanting to give the impression that life is always rosy, but then I remember why I started this blog, which was to allow myself to take the time to process and share the lovely things that are happening, to help me to cope with everything else. I therefore won't bother you with what has been going on, but suffice it to say that I have had plenty of good and sad reminders that life is short, fragile and never to be wasted. The Ginge is taking me away for the weekend to Harrogate. It will be such a wonderful opportunity to get a bit of breathing space, somewhere new and untainted by my cares and worries. I am going to switch off my phone, leave my laptop at home and sink into the remoteness and freedom of ignorance. Simple things are all I need at times like this, so we are planning to enjoy a blissful morning in a victorian hammam, eat hot, buttered teacakes at Betty's tearoom and take to the hills for a walk, to blow the cobwebs well and truly away. I am all packed and ready to go, as soon as I can finish at work. I hope you all have similarly nice things to look forward to this weekend and that you too get a bit of space to wonder at what it means to feel alive.

Lost & Found

Fittingly, I have searched for this film several times and have finally found it. It was shown at Christmas-time a couple of years ago and stole my heart entirely, both for its wonderful story and enchanting style. No matter how bad you feel, I guarantee that this will make everything better. 

Pottering About

This weekend has been a bit of a slow one (or a 'sloe' one as I'm sure the Ginge would say). Unfortunately, I haven't been very well and the Ginge has been working nights, so I have just been bumbling around the house on my own for most of the time. I must say that I really hate it when he is on nights as I get so lonely and dislike being limited to seeing him for a rushed two hours per day. It is quite a good opportunity to get things done though. I have made sloe gin, cooked some tasty suppers and comforted myself by baking my mum's dropped scones. I didn't manage to get to any fireworks, but I poked my head out of the skylight and watched the multiple, distant displays exploding all over the city. Did you have more success with bonfire night? 

More Autumn

1. Pumpkins galore
2. Cosy, comforting lunches of fish fingers, mash and peas
3. Wandering through leafy parks on my day off
4. Stumbling upon an avenue of blackthorns, dripping with sloes - bring on the gin!
5. Making an autumn wreath for my door, although it is nowhere near as good as the ones which inspired me here, here and here
6. My new boots - thank you to the lovely Cat of Take Courage for introducing me to Kate Kanzier