~Simple Pleasures - Old Books~

I know that like me,  a lot of you fellow bloggers also find your books thriftily at car boot sales and charity shops.  I am a member of the library in the village, which is good for reference and craft books, but apart from that on my last visit I felt there were shelves and shelves of chick lit and I came away empty-handed.
One of my Simple Pleasures is searching out old books. I am inspired by old book covers - the nostalgic typography, illustrations and colours are so pleasing- and I also love the smell and feel of old book pages.
This image would stress a mimimalist; but I could live surrounded by books like this...

Image reproduced from Country Living March 2012

My recent finds have been a 1969 Pan Classic of Persuasion by Jane Austen for 20p (you can see where the charity shop staff have written 20p in blue biro near the title - why would you do that?). I've just finished it and I enjoyed it as much as Pride and Prejudice, which is my all-time favourite re-read.

...also this 1974 copy of Daphne du Maurier's My Cousin Rachel. I've read a fair bit of D du M recently, and this is wonderful, I highly recommend it.

We're off to the Yorkshire coast near Filey for a few days away in Chateau H, fingers crossed for decent weather! See you when I get back. Have a lovely weekend x

~Simple Pleasures - Weekend bunny make~

I got this lovely book by Sarah Moore for my birthday back in February.

 Gorgeous photos, gorgeous layout and design - just my kind of book. Country Living are serialising some of the projects from the book; so despite missing the Easter Bunny deadline, I thought I'd have a go at the lavender bunny (p.111) which is shown on the front cover, using scraps and trimmings I already had.
Bunny's front is made from some pale pink fluffy wool fabric...

...with a vintage wool tweed reverse, complete with a pom-pom tail...

I especially enjoyed making the carrot from leftover linen scraps...

...and a tote bag to keep it in!
And every bunny needs a comfy place to sleep...

Not sure with who or to where she is destined to go - she may go to Rivers Meet 'A Market in May' with me when I have a stall at the craft cafe in Methley, near Castleford in May.
Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend, despite the rain!

~Onwards and Forwards~

The wind is howling and it's raining sidewards - weather my Nana would have described as 'filthy' - so J and I have not ventured out at all.  Yesterday was a different day completely - winter sun, cold, but not too chilly for a nice walk.  We went to nearby Temple Newsam - a Capability Brown-designed 18th century estate now owned by Leeds City Council. All four of us and Small Dog had a lovely walk through the muddy grounds and then on up to the house...

This photo spurs me on to lose some weight and get back cycling as my bum is beginning to slide down the back of my legs!

We took the tree and decorations down yesterday too as I'm back at work on Wednesday.
OH returned to work this morning, and daughter L went back to 6th Form college.  I did get up with them but then couldn't resist sneaking back to bed with a mug of tea and my February Country Life, which arrived this morning.  I was soon joined by J for a chat and a snuggle under the duvet. J's Primary School are not back until next Monday...
Sorry for the late post as my PC screen is playing up and other blogs haven't been loading properly, so I'm only just getting going and catching up with everyone else's news. Happy New Year to you all, and I do hope we all have a happy and healthy 2012. Blogging has been a therapeutic process for me so far and I hope it will continue to keep me cheery through my usual miserable months of January and February...
I am determined to keep the mantra 'onwards and forwards' in my head for the coming weeks. 

~Warm Thoughts of Knitwear~

I'm in accordance with Steph at Curlew Country that even though we're apparently due a bit of unseasonally warm weather, as far as I'm concerned the leaves are falling, Autumn is coming, and consequently knitwear is on my mind! Earlier this week I received this lovely package...

'a really nice delivery from Cornwall' indeed, from Seasalt, one of my favourite shops. Myself and a friend ordered 6 pairs of their fab 'Fluffies' which we first discovered  in Padstow in June. They were 3 for 2, and we shared the postage. One pair for me and 2 for my daughter L at Christmas. Toasty warm feet all round!

Also included was their 'look-book' which had me coveting more knitwear, especially this Nanna Knit Scarf and Rekindle Jumper...

Visit Seasalt online here and if you are in Cornwall at all (lucky lucky you) they also have a discount outlet at Unit 17, Kernick Business Park, Penryn, TR10 9EV, near Falmouth open 10-4.30 Sat and Sunday. I can recommend it - well worth a visit.

~Happy Monday~

This month's Country Living is a particularly good one; a lovely coastal issue and lots of interiors that really appeal to me.  My subscription was a Christmas gift from my Mum - a great present I think. These rose pictures are just like my charity shop bargain from the other week...

I can dream about being this carefree campervan blonde...

...whilst in reality it's Monday and I look and feel more like this...

Hope you have a good week and remember to put some time aside to knit, sew & grow and smell the flowers!