A walk, some books and treasures.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday as it is again today!

Percy and I went to the park for our walk.  The sun was reflecting through the trees and although it was cold, 4 degrees Celsius when we started our walk, it had warmed up to 11 degrees an hour and a half later.

Some fungi

There is a medieval moat in this park and it was interesting reading about it.  I have been meaning to find it for ages and yesterday we finally did.

Just love the way the sun was shining through here and reflecting on the water.

A rather nibbled Fly Algaric toadstool.

Staghorn fungi - you can really see why they are called this.

Beautiful colours of Autumn

Recently I have picked up a couple of interesting looking books from the local charity shops and will be looking forward to reading them.

Lovely linen handkerchiefs.  

Not sure if I will keep these as they are or use them to make something with.

Love the detail.

Beak the Kiwi followed me home.

This Lundby 1/16th car in excellent condition also came home with me.  I might keep it, or I might sell it on, haven't decided yet.

I was surprised to see this vintage teddy with a growler in amongst the other cheap teddies...he told me his name was Elfrid and could he also come home...well how could I refuse him.

Lastly I have dug out this to get some Christmas Crafting inspiration.

I don't think I have looked through it for a couple of years, so should be a bit of fun.

Still trying to work out how to archive all my posts so they are not lost...

Something a bit nicer...parts of my day.

Needing something pleasant...

Pretty sheets and pillowcases. 

My blue crochet bedspread back on the bed with two little bed friends.

The cupboard I bought the yesterday - the one that 'accidentally' found its way home.

It is now in my sewing studio full of fabric.

Apple, blueberry and raspberry crumble that I made the other evening - might make another tonight for pudding.

A rose for the 1st November.

A childhood toy - I remember taking this to school when I was around the age of 5 years (wouldn't have been any older as it was in England at the time) and I lost the baby on the way to school.   My Mum had to go back to look for it.  Fortunately she found it and they have been together ever since!

Some books that I have either just finished reading, are working through or still reading... in that order.

Oh and I have a few plans for November

Physio exercises - for the hamstring tendonopathy - I now have a mat down in my bedroom and the gym ball for the exercises the physiotherapist set me.

Clarinet practice - yes I am going to try again - five minutes daily.

Work in my Art Journal on a more regular basis.

A little dusting...

I thought it was high time I actually dusted this little wooden shelving unit today.  So off everything came, on with the brush nozzle on the vacuum cleaner  - yup the dust was that thick!

Soft toys got vacuumed as well and the other ornaments were dusted and cleaned and rearranged.

On the top are various things I have made apart from the little rabbit in blue (bought from Marmalade Rose), the Koala, a gift from my childhood friend who lives in Australia and the Octopus - a very rare raffle prize win - I never win raffles - he is the exception! 

Top shelf holds plates, two from my grandparents, one from my Dad as is the lovely vase, the glass on the left is from my Mum & Dad for my birthday in 2011.

Next shelf, some Russian dolls and one in Native NZ birds, a glass kiwi, a couple of 'eggs' some other vases that I think were from my husband's fathers house.

Bottom Shelf, some children's cups, a magic roundabout book, cup, and my childhood Dougal, a zebra, Beatrix Potter mouse, frogs, a little boy and girl ornament that my younger son bought me and a little china tea set.  All rather whimsical.

I faffed around with another unit, but the photos didn't come out very well as it is just too dark inside now and even with the lights on the photos were terrible.

A few treasures...

I don't usually show any of my 'doll' finds on this blog any keeping them separate, but for want of anything else to 'show' today I thought I would show the treasures I found today in the charity and antique shops.

The little Sadler teapot and Beverly China tea cup I probably paid over the odds for in an antique shop, but I know the lady and she always offers me a cup of tea when I go in there, regardless of whether I buy anything or not.  I just thought they were so sweet and would be perfect for my antique doll.  The little book and table were in the charity shop and were a good buy.  I will probably recover the little book and turn it into a doll prop...so it will have a child's storybook cover.  The little table is also the perfect size for my 17 inch dolls.

Sweet little teapot.  Completely out of focus!  Sorry!

Another great find was this little Pippa doll amongst some similar size barbie type dolls and so she had been priced accordingly, so a very good price was had for her!  I may tidy her up and then sell her on, I am not sure yet.

Peggy Sue trying out the table for size.

A Saturday

The roses are still flowering, although not necessarily at their best, but I still enjoy them immensely.

Nostalgia

Another bud ready to bloom.

Beside the patio door coming over the fence line is this violet beauty.

As well as this purple clematis.  I just love that these are still flowering and can be enjoyed from where I sit at various times of the day.

The Nuthatch have been back and forth collecting peanuts.

I don't know if they take them away to eat, or if they are storing them...

But they are fun to watch.

The Great Tit is also enjoying the peanuts.

The sparrow is having a drink...and highlights the fact that the bowl needs a jolly good clean!

Collecting seeds that have fallen to the ground.

I have been busy today tidying, vacuuming and fussing with little displays in our lounge.

My dolls generally feature separately on my doll blogs, but they do tend to be dotted around the home so I thought I would show them today.  Most live in my Sewing Studio, but they do tend to come into other rooms in rotation.

I was so delighted with Autumn's new clothing and her gorgeous look, that I decided that she could have a turn up in the house and she is on my little china cabinet with the other items of my little 'Nature Display'.

Beside our settee (sofa) where I sit is a radio gramme with lamp, phone and Saige whom my lovely older son bought me this year as a surprise birthday gift - and what a surprise she was!  Below her is 'Mini-Saige' who helped model the clothes I made for a friend last week.

Little Thomas, is my 'mini Steven' as he looks just like my older son did when he was a little boy.  He is a little travel companion who will travel with me when Henry is not available.

Our living room is very narrow so just over from the settee tucked in the corner is a single chair with my cello and music stand ready for action...

While tidying I sorted out all my art supplies that I use for sketching and drawing.  I needed something to put them in and then remembered the little bag DH bought for me from a CS last year sometime.  I had ear-marked it to return to a CS, but then thought it would be perfect for my books and pencils.

It is, and I love that is bright and colourful.

This is where I sit at various times of the day  with a cup of tea, watching the birds in the garden, doing a spot of knitting, or working on my Artists/Nature Journal.

When sitting here, to the right of me is the other corner of the room...

where I have set up the little Schoenhut family.

The unit that divides the room into a 'lounge & a dining room' has more of my eclectic collection of dolls and teddies on it.

This little fellow arrived today from the lovely friend I made the little outfits for.  I wasn't expecting him so it was a wonderful surprise.

Here he is on the doorstep asking to come in!

Henry is playing cards with Ted, whilst the girls behind him are pushing their prams.

The dining area is still a work in progress....the dining table is currently invisible under a pile of stuff!

Preparing for the damper and wetter weather....

So a little tour of my living room...certainly not to everyone's taste, a mixture of all sorts of bits and bobs, but it makes me happy so that is all that matters!