For Mother’s Day, my family took me into Glasgow for a browse around Buchanan Street. I had a wonderful time manhandling various bits of cookware and linen. I don’t miss living in Glasgow, but I love shopping there.
Read MoreNorthern Beach
This beach is located between Thurso and John O’Groats and it’s about as far north as you can get on the British mainland without getting your feet wet. We had a wonderful holiday here two years ago, and I’m ready to go back again. My hope is that we’ll end up here again this summer.
Read MoreUmeshu
This is a spiced plum soap I made awhile back and I’m down to my last bar! I’ve not made soap in ages and hope I can remember how. I used to be able to do this in my sleep.
Read MoreSophie
You may have seen her shadow, but I believe this is the first time you’ll have seen our Sophie. She’s our oldest cat — nearly eleven! She’s also our smallest, weighing in at just over five pounds. A permakitten.
Read MoreWarm Thoughts
I was frozen to the bone at work today. Winter just isn’t letting up this year. My remedy is thinking warm thoughts, and photos of summer holidays past provide a small blast of mental heat. This old rusty shed sits on the banks of Loch Ness. I hope to get back here again this summer.
Read MoreSunny
Our daylight situation here is definitely improving. Today the sky was cloudless, and we had light until just after 6pm. Even the cats have noticed the difference. Sophie spent most of the day following the sun around the house.
Read MoreFluttering By
What a week! In seven days I’ve 1) worked like a dog, 2) planned, purchased, and arranged the installation of a kitchen, 3) kept house (barely). March is shaping up to be one of the busiest months I’ve ever experienced. At least the weather should be warmer for a bit of hen watching in my…
Read MoreAnother Trying Week
The weekend wasn’t quite enough to shake off the stress of last week, so I whipped out the Primrose Bakery book and made vanilla cupcakes with pink vanilla icing. Nothing de-stresses like a perfect cupcake!
Read MorePingu
If you haven’t guessed, I’m a bird lover. I like them all — even the ones that don’t fly. This little guy is lucky he didn’t end up in my handbag.
Read MoreBelgian Beauty
I’m not sure if this is Mip or Pip, but yesterday my daughter found a fun way to tell them apart. Whilst sitting down and having a little chat with both birds, she discovered one says ‘poopy’ over and over again. Perhaps a name change is in order?
Read MoreNew Bantams
This gorgeous girl is a Dutch partridge bantam. We picked her up from a lovely breeder in the village next to ours today. We’ve named her Violet. We also brought home two of her ‘sisters’ — beautiful black Barbu d’Anvers Belgian bantams. These two are impossible to tell apart, so we’ve decided to call them…
Read MoreWelcome Wagon
In an attempt to watch baby birds last Spring, we dolled up some wooden birdhouses in hopes a nice bird family or two might decide take up residence. Despite our best efforts, there were no takers, however, a starling did hatch her eggs directly over the loft entry in our bedroom. We were relieved when…
Read MoreOld Soap
While home in Alabama a couple of years ago, my husband and I visited Martin Drugstore at Landmark Park. They have a beautiful display of old soaps behind one of the counters.
Read MoreCupcake Therapy
Whenever I feel stressed, my favourite cure is baking. Yesterday was particularly trying, so to decompress, I’ve made cupcakes with the kids. The lemon cakes with lemon icing are quite good, but the mocha cupcakes are amazing.
Read MoreThief!
When you bring home a new pet, you have no idea what bizarre behaviour they’re bringing along. Meg is a collector and will take anything that fits in her mouth. She’s hauled off guitar picks, pencils, and pens, but her favourite things to steal are cherry tomatoes from the kitchen counter. I have found ten…
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