Wednesday 19 September 2007

"If reading be the food of love read on"

Today I must first thank Sandi at http://Holding Patterns.blogspot.com/ for her generous award of " You lift me up". She has been having some painful treatment but still retains an amazing sense of humour throughout. Sandi lives in the USA but spent some time in UK in late 1970s. She is currently writing about her English experiences on her blog. Visit her if you want your day to be brighter as its very funny. So Sandi, sweet peas picked from the garden yesterday. Hope you are feeling brighter today and thanks.

This week has been a week of horrible jobs including wallpaper stripping and uncovering horrors! This is a little part of the dining room. We are still awaiting plumber, to replace radiator, plasterer to make the walls look erm normal, before we can paint. I saw a chandelier Sophie Honeysuckle and thought of you! Now will we or won't we have one??

But now to the reading part. Lots of bloggers have been writing about reading! Angel Jem devoted her blog to the numbers of books she has read. I can't apply the equation, am useless at maths, can I just say a lot for me. Reading has been part of my family for ever. Sarah has so many books she even keeps them in a wardrobe, her clothes..... well she is very untidy! We use our 4th bedroom as a study now and as I write this books are everywhere, yes even in piles on the floor. However I have recently bought 2 lovely books at car boot sales. I am ashamed to say I have never read any Daphne but got this for a bargain £1 so have an autumn read.I also spent another £1 on this old sewing book which hopefully will help me to sew but is also a bit of social history.It has amazing illustrations and was a Christmas gift to Patty in 1945. I wonder what todays girls would make of this for a Christmas gift?













You all know how much I hate ironing and it is now Simon's job. Can't imagine he would want to do it like this though!!

To round off today. Sarah, Sophie and I are having a home made Christmas challenge so sewing is involved. I am patchworking with squares for someone ( not them ) and Dougal decided he would try and help!! Hope everyone is keeping well. I'm off to sunny Spain on Sunday but more about that before I go!!!!






14 comments:

Papoosue said...

I think Dougal is enjoying having his photograph taken - he's a bit of a paparazzi puss!

(I haven't forgotten by the way - bear with me please) :-)

Angel Jem said...

You will love the DuMaurier books. I have read all of those (sign of a mis-spent youth, or a childhood with no friends, you can decide)and re-read a couple. My fave is Rebecca, but then I like Jamaica Inn. Get the kettle on, snuggle up with the patchwork and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Fancy the sweet peas still blooming. They are certainly out of season now. Dougal always manages to get into the sewing doesn't he. He must have been a 'sewing human' in a previous life.
Have a great time in Spain. (and don't go to any parties!) You know why! LOL

Anonymous said...

Sweet peas always remind me of my Grandfather who died over 40 years ago when I was 13. He grew them every summer, such a wonderful scent.

Your link to Sarah MacBride does not work, tried to visit.

Mary said...

Good books! Daphne is wonderful. I can smell those sweet peas all the way over here!

I need to mention Dougal. He's a ham (meaning loves the attention...).

Enjoy your trip to Spain, Mary.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Ooh I say get the chandelier Mary-but then again I would!!! But they are classic and will never date...
Have fun in Spain, and enjoy your reading!!xx

The Honourable Billy Blunt said...

Hi Mary,
I say take Daphne to Spain with you,by the time you come home you'll be hooked,I love the vintage sewing book,I love anything like that with a bit of history.
The sweet peas so reminded me of my darling father who would bring me a bunch every time he visited me,with the stems wrapped in wet kitchen roll to keep them fresh.
Enjoy your break.
Best wishes Kat x.

Sandi McBride said...

Oh I just love Dougal...what a face on that one! Read Rebecca first...it's a real thriller...I read it when I was 15, so grown up I was! I hope the plumber comes soon, so you can get back to work on what I am sure will be an amazing do over...oh, and no, the shandy didn't seem to hurt them a bit, tho they have a love for sour lemonade, both complain it doesn't taste quite the same! But they aren't alcoholics anyway lol

Sandi McBride said...

Oh my goodness, I forgot to tell you HAVE A GRAND TIME IN SPAIN!!!

Mary said...

Hi Mary, thanks for your sweet comments about my kitchen. I have a cat named Jordan who looks very similar to Dougal!

I love Daphne duMaurier -- haven't read her in ages but will have to go back and read some again!

I love the illustrations in te sewing book -- old books are just so interesting!
Have a great vacation!
Mary

Anonymous said...

Awwww, cute kitty!!!
Thanks for your nice comments and for adding me to your blog roll!!

See ya, Dara

Mia said...

Your sweet peas look charming. But stipping wallpaper is not a pleasant job, I am sure. But just think of how lovely it will be after the job is done. Dougal looks like he enjoys patchworking too. I am sure you will have a lovely time in Spain, lucky you!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

I'm sure Dougal is more help than I could ever be with the sewing! lol I love reading, too. Just can't read enough! But I'm ashamed to say this...I OWN the book Rebecca and have never read it. It was in with a bunch of books from my mom and it just didn't look like something I'd want to read. But - it seems that maybe I should read it because if not, I'll be the only one in the English speaking world who hasn't. Seems like EVERYBODY'S read the darn thing! So I think I'll pull it down from the shelves and put it in my "to read" pile...

Papoosue said...

When are you off to Spain Mary? Can I post your little parcel off to you or should I wait? No, I will post it anyway. xx