Lilacs In April!

The Lilac are visiting me early this year

New Lavender - alba, to go in my white bed.

My lovely meditative green spot, with swathes of Cow Parsley. This is at the end of the garden, under a very large Lime tree.  I like to keep it wild and see what thrives, although this year I did plant some English Bluebells to complete my 'prettyish kind of little wilderness'*

* Who said this, in which book?

Happy Birthday Your Majesty.

Today is the Queens 85th birthday.   I find it hard to believe she is that old.  40ish years ago, she sailed up the Thames and stopped off at my little village primary school and we serenaded her with Green Sleeves on the recorder.  Poor woman, how many times must she have been subjected to that tune, due to the fact it is said Henry VIII composed it I wonder?  She has led an amazing life, and I hope the bumpy bits are past for her now, and she can sail on - smoothly and taking in the new views as she sails into her old age. Happy 85th birthday Ma'am.

Etsy BeauBazaar

Allotment Envy

I whipped out my camera whilst visiting an allotment that made me just green with envy at the plots and their sheds. Especially the ones with  shelves of old pots, string, and vintage, well kept tools hanging up.

Plot holder 31 is romantic as well as practical, growing their blooms besides their brassica.

I loved this ingenious way of keeping the birds off of (what looks like) red shallot bulbs, how eco is this?

What a lovely old bike, the springs in the saddle look like they'd give you a nice comfy ride, and the basket is ideal for bringing home your fresh produce directly to your kitchen. 

Somebody is good with their hands. In the foreground a frame for artichokes - four wooden posts with 2 woven wooden rings to contain the brutes as they grow strong, and in the background a rhubarb frame to keep the stems straight and away from the mud.

All gardeners live in beautiful places, because they make them so.
~ Joseph Joubert.

Penguin Threads

Penguin USA have announced a series of classic books with the most beautifully eye catching embroidery style covers.  There are 3 to start - Emma, The Secret Garden and Black Beauty. A feast for the eyes.

What a lovely gift they would make. 

A Defence Of Libraries

Yesterday the ever-eloquent Zadie Smith released this essay, in case you didn't catch it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9439000/9439821.stm

Item: BBC News.

Picture: Daily Telegraph.

Michael Farrell, I salute you.

At the weekend whilst looking at books, I came across a cover that grabbed and held my attention.  It's a Penguin book on the famed Dorothy Parker, one of the great writers and wits of the 20th century.  The cover design is by Michael Farrell. I love it.  Printed in 1977, this 70's child was suckered in by the colours and beautiful design.   I'm sure it will see some Etsy action!

Etsy BeauBazaar

Newbury at Silly o'clock

Good things about my trip to Newbury antiques fair this morning;

Some great antiques, repro and miscellanea.
Eclectic traders with cheeky patter.
Great people watching and listening! Sample,  'He said we should buy it, do you think we should?!'
Plenty of space to move around amongst the wares


Not so good;

Cold this morning, it didn't warm up until lunch.
Getting up at 6am for the 8am start.
Food - it was a bit truckers breakfast, they could do with catering for those with healthier tastes, but hey.

I bought 2 books; Alice In Wonderland and Science In The Home.   The two friends I went with bought some early Emma Bridgewater and vintage clothing. Hope your Monday was as interesting.

Scaling The Heights

This Sunday Wuthering Heights, the only book written by Emily Bronte, will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, at 8pm. A shame they didn't broadcast it during the cold and wind of January, the lovely weather feels all wrong for stories of windswept moors and Heathcliff. I'm not moaning about this glorious sunshine though - long may it stay with us.  Have a great weekend, whatever you are doing.

To Japan With Love

Every time I watch the news my heart breaks for the Japanese people.  In 1989 I had a boyfriend who went to Japan for a year, each week he sent me letters via airmail (no email, no facebook, imagine!) detailing his cultural shock and awe. When I flew out to visit we toured around that beautiful, exotic country.  I was overwhelmed by the kind hospitality shown to us by his Japanese friends and colleagues.

I have added some books to my bookshop on Etsy, to benefit the Red Cross Tsunami relief fund.  I will be adding some more in the coming weeks.

P.S  Regarding my boyfriend, reader I married him, and as you can see, I still have the letters.

Etsy

BeauBazaar