John Keats - 1795-1821

John Keats - 1795-1821
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing …

Sunday 5 October 2008

PRESENT INTERESTS






It has been years since I have ridden a bycicle, the last time I remember cycling over the rickety bridge only to be met by a man in a white van coming in the opposite direction down a narrow country lane and taking up the full width of the road. I stuck my right leg out with handle bars all a tremour, and you've guessed it...... became a cropper. I happen to like cycling, great fun, I kid myself it might keep my over 60's body in shape, even though, still not bad for an oldie.


De-clutter my wardrobes, I did begin this a few weeks ago and gave some clothes to the charity shop, but then once inside charity shops I usually come home with another gorgeous creation that some other has no use for. Having a 'clear out' apparantly is cathartic, but I have always been a hoarder thinking, oh will keep that just in case it comes in handy, but usually never does.


Baking cakes - I have a sweet tooth, when my children were growing up I was always busy in the kitchen turning out the odd swiss-roll, little dainty fairy cakes filled with butter icing, victoria sandwich with a favourite jam filling, the list goes on. Then somehow I stopped baking cakes, why spend time when one can buy a yum cake over the counter, or even the good old WI or our tiny pantry shop in the village. So I am into baking these again, I blame it on those gorgeous pictures in Food Book I received recently, so Kittyb, move over darling, know you are a whiz with baking cakes, no joking aside my cakes could never look as gorgeous.


Catch up with my reading, sadly this has been neglected of late, like to be busy, but I do love a good book, log on the fire, glass of the old vino, a cosy throw, adore books so I am going to make more time for this. Books I am reading at the moment are - Nobbut A Lad - A Yorkshire Childhood by that gorgeous man Alan Titchmarsh. This was recently sent to me by Elizabethd in France along with two very pretty french postcards, thank you Elizabeth, I will pass it on to Bradan next. The second book that awaits my reading is - The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer, I love this author's wonderful period detail.


I popped into the Library last week to enquire after anything by Hogarth and while I was there a lady happened to return the G. Heyer book. I said to the Librarian, 'ooh, may I take that book out please', 'are you sure, she said, 'it is in very LARGE PRINT'. 'Yes I said, eyes are a tad wonky, but hey ho.!


I came across some gorgeous floral vintage fabric in a shop recently, I'm thinking cushions at the moment. I loathed dressmaking at school, buttons to be sewn on I can just about manage, I shuddered when name tags were dropped in my lap by my children for school uniforms. Thank heavens for my MIL who was a seamstress. The cushions might not resemble Laura Ashley or Designers Guild but I am going to give it a go.


19 comments:

Cait O'Connor said...

I am first!
(and it is So Good to see you blogging again).
Your photos always make me drool and today's are no exception. I am with you on all your choices except for sewing as I am sadly rather allergic to needlework and cycling as it is too hilly round these parts, unlike where you live. If I lived there I would cycle everywhere methinks.
And now I have to run away and scribble out my homework quickly or it will be detention again.

Faith said...

Lovely pics Camilla, and can I come over and have some of those fairy cakes? I like The Nonesuch - one of G. Heyer's good ones. Well, I like many of them! Got them all lined up on the shelf from my teens. Is that Alan Titmarsh one a Pcoo book? Its been to France and then back again. I read that second I think! I havent had my bike out all this summer, feel terrible about it, but my legs ache and I think it would make them worse!

Frances said...

Camilla, it is good to know that you are baking again. I am another one who used to bake something every week (once including two loaves of bread each Sunday.)

Well, my time line is so changed that somehow I rarely turn the oven on. Now you have got me inspired. Anything baked at home involving sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, a bit of flour and love ... how can it be other than heavenly?

As always, I so love your photos.

xo

Fire Byrd said...

You have such a wonderful collection of pics you use, whether on Purplecoo or now here. They are such a joy to look at, always make me smile.
Have you read any Elizabeth Goudge, my favourite author for when I need to feel cosy.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous list, Camilla. Perhaps one day you will become a famous name!! I am really into floral designs at the moment. There are some beautiful ones to choose from.

CJ xx

Fennie said...

I do so love your pics Camilla. They are so beautiful. I so sympathise about not having enough time for reading, especialy when it is a book you cannot skim. I am reading 'The Eustace Diamonds' by Anthony Trollope at the moment - a fast moving late novel, but it could so much do with abridging, though then you would lose all of Trollope's charming if repetitive and elaborate style. Never read any Heyer (yet!) I have passed my bike to Elder Daughter.

Casdok said...

Gorgeous photos.
I too am a bit of a hoarder, but also like to have a good clear out when in the mood. :)

david mcmahon said...

Came here from Crystal Jigsaw's blog. You just jgged my memory about a post I planned to do, about cup cakes!!

pinkfairygran said...

Well, I am new to Bloomin Camilla (and how is dear Charles these days? I know, if you had a penny for every time someone has said that to you.....blah blah blah!) and love it. Love the slight eccentricity of it, the madness,the prettiness... I have the dotty plate and the Emma Bridgewater one too in the tea table photograph. I shall add you to my list... thanks for dropping in on my little blog too.

DJ Kirkby said...

I quite like books in large print, I think more should be published in that format. I adore the look of the shop in your first photo and want to own one just like it...alas it is not the best time to embark upon a business.

Carah Boden said...

Hello Camilla, thank you for popping over to me the other day adn for your kind comments. Guess you won't be 1st Shipmate then?!

I'm ashamed to say I don't think I have visited you before, but I'm really glad I have now. Lovely lovely pix, very evocative. Have been panning down and read a number of your previous blogs all of which seem, alarmingly, to do with Purplecoo homework - at which point I've gone hot and cold. I don't think I've completed ANY of my tasks yet! It seems to take me forever just to get round to writing a normal post. Still, I WANT to do my homework really, so maybe one day I will make a start...

I loved your wish list and your reading list. Have just bought Anne of Green Gables for my daughters. I have to say I am not a baker, though. Unlike you, I don't have a particularly sweet tooth. However, having children forces you to get the pinny on and the rolling pin out, so I do a bit from time to time, and we always enjoy it. I prefer making jams and chutneys to pure baking.

So glad you survived the white van - but please DO take care. We can't be having another incident like that!

Carah Boden said...

PS: I'm also a terrible hoarder - my husband and mother are chuckers. We often come to blows!

Just A Girl said...

Hello Camilla,
Thanks for finding my blog "The Pinkie Teas." I too love all things tea and pinkish.
Your blog is very delightful! I love the wonky eyed business.

Have a fun Monday!
Cori G.

Just A Girl said...

Hello Camilla,
Thanks for finding my blog "The Pinkie Teas." I too love all things tea and pinkish.
Your blog is very delightful! I love the wonky eyed business.

Have a fun Monday!
Cori G.

CAMILLA said...

I cannot believe I have not answered all your lovely messages. Thank you kind hearts, and thank you too to HOTH and to Corie G, and david mcmahhon for visiting, so kind.

Which reminds me I must do a blog soon.! it's been way too long.

xx

Kimberly said...

Camilla, hi its me seashell. I wanted to tell you thanks for making me smile not only with your kind words but also with all the beautiful paintings you post. I hope to follow your blog too! also, I have lost count how many times I've listened to Enya "Caribbean Blue" for its remarkable relaxing qualities. see you on the perch. :)

CAMILLA said...

Aw, thank you Seashell, really sweet of you. Now I can look forward to all of your favourite paintings too.

See you on the perch Seashell.!

xx

HAWTHORN HALL said...

All your photos are so lovely today. I like the idea of riding a real bike with a basket...not one of the bikes with all the gears and gadgets. An inspiring post.

Gillian

The Dutchess said...

Dear Camilla..so nice of you to visit my blog..we share the love of art! To answer you question...I don't know the title of the painting. I made a link to the painters website...its on the bottom of the Invincible post! I think you will enjoy his work.
Have a wonderful day.