Sunday 19 May 2013

Afternoon tea with Persephone books

I have a Lovely Husband. One of the forms that his loveliness takes is his willingness to chauffeur me ( I don't drive) around to places he has no possible interest in going to himself. Like yesterday.... for me, an independent bookshop, hosting an afternoon tea on behalf of Persephone books, sounds pretty much a perfect afternoon. For the Lovely Husband... not so much. But as it was in a rural location, well over an hour's drive away the only way I was going was if he was taking me. Which he did, generously and uncomplainingly. And was it worth it? Totally. The bookshop was wonderful, the best of its kind, the tea was served in vintage cups from a teapot covered in a Persephone-grey cosy and there was the best news from Nicola Beauman, who was there from Persephone (there ARE more Dorothy Whipples still to be re-published!).
If I was a Lovely Wife, next weekend we'd be going to a football match, followed by many hours in the pub. But I'm not, so we're going to the Hay Festival instead.

Tuesday 14 May 2013

More makes...

I blogged recently about my adorable youngest niece. Today I want to share something I've made for my eldest niece. She is one of the most extraordinary people I know and I love and admire her beyond words. She recently had her first baby (making me... gulp... Great Aunty Jo) who is an utterly peaceable, contented and happy baby. For her I made this little granny square blanket. It really is small. Just big enough to tuck around those chubby little thighs while she's in her car seat.

Gosh, it really needs blocking, doesn't it?
And for my beloved Mum's birthday, a rather "rustic" (i.e. squashed!) looking pavlova. I stuck some sparklers and a candle in the top and it seemed to go down well.

Thursday 2 May 2013

Reading List - April 2013

"The Joy of Less" by Francine Jay.
"Seating Arrangements" by Maggie Shipstead.
"The Home Handbook" by Rachel Simhon.
"The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year" by Sue Townsend.
"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.

My two "guilty pleasures" feature on this month's list. Don't tell anyone - it's embarrassing to admit, but I love a good housekeeping manual as well as a decently written thriller (of which "Gone Girl" is a brilliant example).