Spicy News

I was reading an article in Psychologies Magazine, (absolutely fab, a magazine that deals with beauty inside rather than the superficial!) Well there is an article about happiness, apparently if you list 5 good things each night before going to bed, you actually sleep better, and feel happier. So I thought I would share mine today!

1. I bought a beautiful pink coat from a charity shop – it still had the shop label (£55) which I paid £10!

2. I found a wonderful wooden thread spool holder, I had been looking for ages, and something propelled me into  a shop I hardly ever go into! There it was!

3. Had a wonderful morning with Sally, tea and double choc biscuits and a great afternoon with Dawn, finding inspiration in a fabric shop! How wonderful to have great friends

4. My back is better, I can actually do more than sitting! (Even if when shopping I had to ask to sit down!)

5. Watching the first series of Desperate Housewives, I just loved it! Can’t beleive I missed it before! Nothing better than sitting (comfortably!! at last) watching DH and crocheting! What more can a girl want, and the end to a perfect day!

This is a twenty minute writing exercise, I just wanted to create atmosphere, rather than concentrate on a whole story, hope you like it.

There was no possibility of taking a walk that day, the rain hammered against the windows, and the wind wailed down the chimney, causing the fire to splutter. Although it was only two o’clock, the room was lit by the glow of the standard lamp, sending out reflective pools in the soft brown leather of the arm chairs. The weather outside seemed to emphasise the cosiness of the room, the cooling cups of tea, the plate of biscuits the rounded generosity of the teapot with its woolly coat.

She sat, legs hooked over the arm of the chair, soft silk cushion at her back, the tea within arms reach, munching a biscuit as she read the book. Softly, somewhere in the distance a clock struck the quarter hour,  and when the chime finally died it continued its soft ticking, a reassuring sound. It was nice for once, not to have to march to time, not to have to do something.

She turned the page, and the sound seemed loud in the room, as if the sudden movement had disturbed the tranquillity, the biscuit now gone, she twiddled with her hair, and at that moment she was totally at her ease, the  long golden hair swept past the side of the chair and nearly reached the floor. Her pose emphasised the length of her legs, the curve of her back implied the relaxation of the moment. He wanted to take a picture then, to capture her as she was, not posed with a cheesy smile, like everyone does when you point a camera near them. No, it wasn’t just the pose, it was the moment, he wanted to capture it, forever.

 The weather outside seemed to isolate them into a world where there was just the two of them, no children, no parents, no clients and no demands. He couldn’t remember the last time  he had just sat like this, taken the time to just sit and watch, and, like the last time it had happened, he asked himself why he did not do it more often.

There was no possibility of taking a walk that day « Spicy News

it is strange how easy it is to find inspiration among the most simple things. I was sorting out my threads the other day and it was great fun to organise the colours. Since I have been doing free sewing the threads feel like a palette, as it is so wonderful to draw with the sewing machine.

I made this crochet hook roll, I got the idea from a vintage design. It is so nice to have something to put them all in. I simply adore the fabric inside and the ribbons make it a girlie touch.

Every now and then my back goes into complete spasm, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop the pain, except take some very strong tablets and try to relax! For someone who is as manic as I am it is a very hard thing to do. Fortunately I have been reading a wonderful book, by Jodi Picoult called Second Glance. I have actually enjoyed the peace and quiet of reading with no-one else to disturb me, it is simply wonderful, were it not for the sheer pain every time I try to move!

I must admit I did feel rather sorry for myself today, just a little need of some pampering! So I went out and bought the most delicious friut – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. I feel sometimes it is important to treat the body like a temple, Nigella calls it “temple food”. Fortunately I went to see a specialist this evening who very gently, massaged my muscles and encouraged them to relax. Hopefully I will be back to normal tomorrow.

Reasons to be grateful

It is going to get better, thank goodness. Some people have to deal with this pain all the time.

the Sun was shining and all the plants are starting to come to life, the lilly is even in flower!

I am loved, and surrounded by a loving family, what more could one want?

Many people who know me well, understand my sheer delight at taking tea and cake! Well I mentioned to W about going to the Ritz for tea, the ultimate in tea and cake, and he managed to book it for me for my birthday!

I must say it was absolutely fab! Well worth doing at least once in a lifetime! The tea was lovely and the sandwiches and cakes simply perfect! We had a lovely time, Clive and I, and it will certainly be a memory I will always cherish.

The scones were the best I have ever tasted! So light and fluffy, and the strawberry jam was superb. I have to admit, I was a little scared of the waiters, they were dressed in stiff bow ties and tails, but they were so wonderfully warm and friendly, we soon felt at ease.

Just for today, I wish I could speak your language

So that I could listen to your voice and understand you.

Just for today, I wish I could look into your eyes

And see the light of the soul that you are

Just for one day I wish that I could embrace you

And call you my brother, my sister, my family

Just for one day I wish we could focus on similarities

For we have spent too long on our differences

Just for one day I would like us to acknowledge

That Creator, Spirit, All That Is, Allah, Jehovah and God

Are on and the same

And that is love

Just for one day.

Jamerah

Wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place if we concentrated on what makes us the same?

I couldn’t beleive it when I woke up today, we had snow! Yesterday was quite cold, but the sun was shining and the buds are spinging forth everywhere! The wisteria is full of buds, and the small willow coming out in little fluffy buds! But this morning, covered in snow! I can’t remember the last time we had snow, it has been years ago.

We were just getting the caravan prepared, we are hoping to go on our travels next weekend, somewhere near Chichester. We usually go the other direction, so it will be nice to try a new area. It will be nice to get out in the caravan again, it is always so relaxing. It isn’t long until the cookoo fair, 5th May, we are planning to take some friends, so it should be great.