Clover Yard

Clover Yard's rainy day post

I think this has been a familiar sight for us all in Britain lately.  Looking on the bright side, it has motivated me to turn my attention to the inside of the house, which I have to say has been slightly neglected over the summer months!

Armed with every cleaning product imaginable (I know, not very green), I am polishing, hoovering and tidying my way to a sparkly home.  I hadn't realised how very pink even the mundane is getting around here!

 

 

(Suzy Smith dishcloths and storage jars from Tesco's).

I'm so easily sidetracked.  I heart pasta bears and iced gems.  The food of gods!

 

Back to the housework.  While tidying things away, I found the perfect spot for my new Cath Kidston eco-bag.  (The best one yet in my humble opinion).  It goes rather well with the material behind my wardrobe door. 

 

The spare room shelves will be tackled another day (don't want to overdo it), but I wanted to show you my groovy new chair and bedspread.  The chair was a flea market find from THE most bizarre place called Steptoe's Yard (on road to St Cyrus beach for any locals).  You've never seen anything like it - I think someone actually lives in the house which is surrounded by outbuildings packed to the gunnels full of china, furniture, glass, books, curtains - you name it, he probably has it.  It's not for the faint hearted though.  The items not under cover are outside in his yard (acres of it) exposed to the elements so if you like a bit of murky rainwater and spider with your jardiniere you'll love it. 

My chair actually has a hole in the seat (work it out!), but looking beyond that, or through it because you can, it is a fine chair, painted the loveliest of turquoises.  Babas is quite taken with it too...

 

At the pinnacle of my crotchet blanket phase, I found an even bigger, better one today.  (I am striving for crotchet blanket gold - either a double size ripple effect or patchwork one in tasteful colours, or better still, an actual Cath Kidston one mistakenly cast aside to a charity shop and being sold for £2.  A girl can dream).

I'm not really sure where all of this is going - what style I'm actually achieving (if any!), but I'm enjoying myself and that's what counts!

 

I've been meaning to sort out my jewellery for ages and today I put together a few pieces to display it.  I'm quite pleased with the results.  I don't wear jewellery much but it's actually quite nice to see it instead of all tangled in a mess in a drawer.  (It's still tangled but in pretty dishes!).  I might be tempted to wear some of this now.

 

That was quite enough activity for one day so I retired to the living room with a well earned cup of tea and a fruit scone.  Job well done, me thinks. 

Back soon with 6 of my favourite things - see Kat's post at Secrets of a Butterfly for inspiration!

p.s. still want to hear about your summer - see previous post x

A new addition

Our cat, affectionately known as Babas, is one of those Six Dinner Sid types, you know, lives at number 32 and 36, 38 and 40.  We assumed she had an owner and full-time home.  (Silly us).  She has been a regular visitor for over a year now, coming round daily for tidbits and cuddles and slinking off into the sunset to who knows where, returning faithfully to our windowsill next morning.  Last week posed a dilemma as we were due to go away for a week and I didn't like the thought of her going without so mum kindly came round to put food out.  When we got back we were overwhelmed with the welcome the cat gave us.  She wouldn't leave my side and purred and meowed madly all day.  It was quite out of character but I figured she'd just missed us.  Picking her up for a cuddle, her underside felt kind of bumpy, and it dawned on me what might be the trouble.  A frantic google search, run round to see my neighbour who works for the Cats Protection, and a mad dash to the vet confirmed my suspicions.  Yes, she was going to be a mummy!   He couldn't tell when, 2 days or could be 2 weeks.

Chaos ensued as I raced around borrowing boxes and litter trays and old blankets, not forgetting hot towels!  By this time she had firmly decided she wasn't leaving our house and all that meowing and strange behaviour was her trying to find a comfy nest to settle down.  All the time I was thinking that her owner needed to know and I must try and find out where she came from.  Posters issued around the village, I eventually calmed myself down and we settled in for the night.  Not a peep came from Babas and I rushed through at 6am but nothing had happened.  I went to work, I gabbled, I drank tea, I relaxed.

I came home, peered under the bed and saw this...

I KNOW!!! 

She is the most amazing mother, I am full of respect and admiration for her.  She has, unusually, had only one kitten but it is the most adorable, chubby little creature ever.  They are like chalk and cheese, her being so dark and the wee kitty with his (I think) ginger stripes. 

Now if you don't move too suddenly, and keep very quiet, I will let you take a closer peek...

I've had no response to my campaign so here they stay and are welcome to as long as they need us. 

Night night little one. x

A Dream Come True

Gosh, feels like ages since my last post.  I've had a lovely week since Easter.  Hubby was on holiday and it was just so nice to have his company.  Even though we just hung around the house most of the week it was nice to potter together.  Pottering is what I do best, next to sleeping (when asked which of the Mr Men mummy is, my son points to Mr Lazy - hmmph!).  There is a distinct difference between being "laid back" and lazy, I say. 

Anyway, I must tell you about something amazing that came my way last week.  Derek had asked me for some ideas for my birthday this year and I obliged with a short list.  23 items later...now please don't get any ideas, I'm not materialistic, not very, I just thought I'd be helpful.  It turned into quite a whimsical wish list - really, some of the items will SO never happen.  Top of the list though was a piano.  I have ALWAYS wanted a piano.  Growing up, we didn't have room for one, and weren't a very musical family anyway.  But my best friend, Katharin, had a house full of instruments - drum kit, piano, didgery doos, harmonicas, you name it.  She taught me to play Love Story on the piano when I was around 12 and to this day, I can still play it with both hands, although I haven't a clue how to read music.  ANYWAY, after dropping our little boy off at nursery one day last week we had a walk round town.  Passing a house clearance shop, I decided to pop in for a nosey.  Normally I'd have to drag Derek into one of these places but he quite obligingly agreed.  Lo and behold, what did I spot but a lovely old piano.  Imagine my delight!  I had a little tinkle of it and asked the owner a few questions and half an hour later the deal was done and 2 hours later it was in our house! 

My beautiful, beautiful piano, you are a bit bashed and there isn't much room for you but oh how I adore you...

It really felt like fate had played a hand and I'm so chuffed I could burst.  Already I am driving the neighbours potty with Abba's Super Trouper (both hands).  Little boy is also taking requests - he can do "the scary song" on the low keys and "the happy song" on the high keys.  It's a hoot!

It is my ambition to be able to play Debussy's Clair de Lune by my 40th birthday (I've a wee while yet!).  I'd better go practice...

Thank you my wonderful dear husband, you have made a girl's wish come true.

Cosy Corners

Come on in and have a nosey at the little corners of my home that brighten my day.  I like to think of each room as a still-life that I can re-arrange according to mood, season and whatever bargains or goodies I've picked up along the way.  My husband's usual reaction is "You've moved things.  Again."  I think you understand perfectly...

Apologies for the Christmassy reflection in the mirror.  I will upload some more pics soon!