Friday, 17 January 2014

January energy

Aah, the weekend.  I've been gradually running out of steam this week, after a flying start.  But things are a little tidier at home now.  Lots of things have gone, there is space where before there was stuff and somehow my mind feels a little clearer too.  Getting something done and crossed off of a list makes me feel like I can get other things done too.  I do love the January energy.

I took most of the stuff to the local recycling centre, and managed to come back with only three things.  Firstly, two plastic plant pots to replace some of the broken terracotta ones.  No doubt they'll get broken as well, but at 50p for two I shall be less cross.  Possibly.  And I also brought back a dictionary.  At the very last moment when it was time to put it in the book bank, I snatched it back.  We do have a big dictionary already, but there's always room for another one I think.  We do love words in this house, and the dictionary often comes off of the shelf during a meal to look up the exact definition of something or other.  So it was rescued.  It's nothing special, it was mine when I was younger and it originally came from a second-hand shop, so it's quite old, but to my delight, the eldest was thrilled to find it on the bookshelf.  It's the simple things.



Still being watched by a guinea pig at all times.  This is the one that likes eating.


I sorted out my little sewing box this week.


The biggest boy helped me put all the thread in colour order.  Then I dropped the whole thing down the stairs and broke the plastic tray when the middle boy got under my feet.  Did I ever mention how clumsy I am?  Me and the middle boy tend to move silently about the place, so we're always colliding with each other in doorways.  I need to hang a bell round his neck.


The biggest boy patiently helped me put it all back again.


I spent a moment looking at some old things in the sewing box.  The metal gauge was my mother's, and I remember her using it when she made clothes for me.  The marking chalk and the thimble were as well, and no doubt the old wooden cotton reel too.


Something on my to-do list is to find a use for a couple of letter press trays I have.  I have a third one hung in the hall, filled with little 2" square photos.


Pictures from three or four years ago, together with the odd quote, a bit of map of a favourite spot, a pretty scrap of paper.




I'm a bit obsessed with Ordnance Survey maps.  I pick them up from second-hand book shops sometimes, and cut them up for various things - scrapbook pages, writing paper, covering things - I just love them.

Although I haven't done any work at the allotment for weeks (months?), we've been enjoying some allotment veggies this week, from the freezer and the store cupboard.  Yesterday I made a lentil and coconut curry with onions, broad beans, courgette and golden beetroot.  Today we had some roasted uchiki kuri squash.  I'm really impressed with how well they're storing.


This picture was taken at sunset, hence the extra golden glow.  The rain had actually stopped for a bit, but we've had so much today that the ground is sodden.  Two out of four of the weekend football things have been cancelled or postponed.  I have to confess I wasn't looking forward to standing outside in the mud for three-quarters of the weekend.  Two down, two to go...  Wishing you all a very good weekend.

34 comments:

  1. I love your letter press tray. What a brilliant idea.

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  2. Ahh, you must be feeling tired and satisfied with all the clearing out and re-organising you've been busy doing this week; well done! I can only imagine how frustrated you must have been on dropping your sewing box; how fortunate to have your dear son to help you!

    And your last picture? My favourite autumn/winter vegetable: a 'petitmarron' we call it here in France. It's delicous with Swiss cheese such as Gruyère both in soup and grattin.

    Have a lovely weeken!

    Stephanie

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  3. " there is space where before there was stuff " Oh that is just dirty talk to me! I dream of making space. I am not very tidy, but grateful whenever things leave.

    I love that your boys helped out with your sewing box organization -- even when it had to be done again. Very sweet. As for the dictionary, I completely think that deserved to stay. I love dictionaries. I still prefer to look things up in them despite accessibility of my fancy iPhone. :)

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  4. I love your letter press pictures they are brilliant :). My sewing stuff is not so well organised all stuffed into an old dressing table of my grandmothers I really should organise it better I can never find what I want when I need it :(

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  5. I am envious of your space where there was stuff. but not of your football matches.

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  6. It looks as though you have had a very busy, but productive week! The squash looks lovely and it is an unusual shape isn't it! xx

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  7. What is it about January? I think many of us can relate to your organizing. I love to do it and it feel so good to have everything orderly. I love your print tray and the photos and ordnance survey maps. What a great idea.!

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  8. That is the cutest guinea pig ever! My daughter got 2 for her daughters.. they wanted a dog but my daughter was worried about all the care they take. Have a good weekend!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Your piggie is colored like our Trip. He was named that by his previous owner. It stood for triple --- three colors.

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  10. We have many dictionaries here too. For a long time, each of us had one at bedside. Isn't that silly? We would lie in bed talking, or each reading our own book, and realize we didn't know what a word meant, so we'd grab a dictionary. It was like a race to see who could whip theirs out faster. I loved seeing your sewing notions, it's one of my favorite things to see what other people have in their sewing baskets. Your printer's trays look beautiful. I'm really enjoying having one of my own, I should have gotten it a long time ago.

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  11. I so like those letter press trays! What a clever way to display them! And I think that having a dictionary in the house is smart! My parents gave us each our own dictionary as a birthday present when we were in high school and with computers these days it is amazing how many kiddos don't know how to use them. Your dinner sounded fantastic!!! YUMMY! I hope that the rain lets up for you all! Have a great weekend!! Nicole xo

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  12. What a good job you didn't tumble down the stairs along with the sewing box! It all looks very neat again now though. It's really satisfying isn't it to have a good clear out though sadly I always find that giving the remaining things more space simply means they breed better and more "stuff" appears!! Love your photo of the squash and also love your header pic. Have a good weekend.

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  13. Maybe your son thinks it's you that needs the bell

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  14. A lovely idea for your print trays.

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  15. Hey Cj,

    Yeah I'm clumsy too. You should see the crockery....

    I love your letterpress, and catching sight of you too? These kind of blog posts are my favourites. Is is because I am nosey, or is it that glimpse into another person's day? Bit of both maybe. I still have to de-clutter lot of things - I have organised my free time so badly, and seem to have been here there and everywhere.

    Have a great weekend. Wrap up warm and take a sneaky bar of chocolate with you. I often have a dairy milk in my pocket when I'm watching Alf on the rugby pitch ;)

    Leanne xx

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  16. Lovely photo of you peeking out of the letterpress! I love those and covet them but for the life of me have no idea what I'd fill one with. Photos are a good idea! Or rainbow spools of cotton in my craft room one day...I can dream. x

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  17. I do love the letterpress tray. Such a brilliant idea for displaying all sorts of things with your photos. And another gorgeous Guinea Pig!

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  18. We make a red lentil and coconut curry that is delicious. What a nice idea with the letterpress tray, but all of those tiny images - it must have taken you forever! A dictionary is a good thing to keep around - always clears up a squabble during Scrabble and just feels better than pulling out the cell phone to check.

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  19. I love your idea of photos, etc in the printers tray. I lusted after one for ages, finally got one, hung it on the wall and then couldn't think what to put in it so most of the spaces are still empty! Perhaps now I've seen yours I shall be inspired to fill it up.

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  20. I only managed the total sum of three squash this year and they're long gone now, I'm hoping to do better this time round. I had a clear out of my sewing box this week too, it's not used very often but was still in a bit of a mess.

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  21. How fabulous to be eating your own veggies at this time of year!

    BY the way, you entered my calendar giveaway over at A Life Of Whimsey and are one of the winners! I do need your mailing info to send it though. Can you get that to me?

    Thanks, :D

    Rosa

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  22. Look at you getting so organized, it feels great to give things away doesn't it?
    hugs,
    Meredith

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  23. I love your letter press with the photos, full of cherished memories. Enjoy your weekend! Christina

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  24. I have several dictionaries, which are books that I always keep.
    I like the letter press trays. A friend has one hung on the wall filled with small knik-knaks.
    I hope that you're enjoying the weekend. Flighty xx

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  25. I'm glad someone can summon up some get up and go in January. I'm just the opposite especially when the weather is so drab and dreary. I can so easily put off jobs until the weather improves a little - or more likely a great deal!.

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  26. The trays are lovely, I like the pictures etc which you've used in each compartment. I love maps but would never have thought to use them in so many ways.I need to start my January clear out, I'm in the mood but procrastinate for too long!

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  27. I'd forgotten about marking chalk until I read your post - something my mum always had but (being creatively challenged) I never saw the need for... which probably explains why her curtains hang straight and mine don't! Hope you get a dry week!

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  28. It is the simple things:) I love how you are using your mother's sewing things. There's something so special about knowing that her hands worked with something you now use. I love the way you store your sewing supplies. I may have to try something like that. My tools are feeling very scattered at the moment. How wonderful you have made such progress! My hat goes off to you. I need to do the same:) I wanted to report back to you that I did indeed get a sewing lesson from my mom today:) It's going slowly, but I'm excited to keep learning. Thanks for holding me accountable. Stay dry and warm!

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  29. That letterpress tray is just the best! What a lovely way to store/display your memories xx

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  30. Lovely to read of and see the things you've held on to, CJ. I love old wooden spools and other sewing bits. My grandmother used to 'tat' lace and my mother is(was) a prolific needlewoman - I learned to sew on her old treadle sewing machine! I have a soft spot for vintage things but have never owned a letterpress tray although I do have those pretend ones from Ikea; they hold all the tiny Disney toys that my son played with when very much younger! I feel I need a real letterpress tray now … ! Hope you had a lovely weekend! C x

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  31. Oh my I love what you have done with the printers tray, it is fab!!! May I say you look gorgeous dear! I use mine for all my sewing cottons and bobbins, but this is such a lovely idea, I might have to use it one day. Love your pretty sewing box and it is all so very organised, I am impressed!! Enjoy your week lovely xoxo

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  32. Hope you had a more restful weekend! I too. I am quite clumsy so know how frustrating it can be when I drop things! I love what you have done with the printers tray. Sarah x

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  33. It's so lovely when things feel organised.

    Have a lovely old week,

    Nina x

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  34. Love what you've done with your printing tray, very imaginative.
    Hope your little one is feeling better.
    Lisa x

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