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Tuesday 19 February 2013

It's good to be alive ...

I woke up bright and early today, the sun was shining, the frost was glistening in the sunlight, and I knew it was going to be one of those days that make you feel glad to be alive.  As a childminder, I'm lucky to work from home, and this morning we walked to school with Ruby, and everybody we saw just seemed happier and more lively than usual. 


 Even though spring is not officially here for another month, the sunny weather seems to bring out the best in everyone.  Freezing conditions are forecast so we'd better make the most of it!


Come on in, the kettle's always on!



Signs of life are springing up everywhere in the garden ...



and the flowers are turning their faces to the sun, after their long, cold hibernation.



Another thing that makes me really happy, is being able to hang my washing out in the garden ... I love the smell of fresh, clean line-dried bedding ... no scented fabric conditioner can match that!


Sorry, these pictures are a bit dark, the sun comes round to my back garden a bit later in the day!


I'd just like to show you this little vintage peg bag I found in a charity shop for 50p ... complete with old, worn wooden pegs! I absolutely love it, and wonder who made it with love, and did they use the old curtains that were a bit worse for wear, or buy a piece of fabric specially for the purpose? I think it was probably the first, as it probably originates from the 'make do and mend' era ... if anyone recognises the fabric I'd be interested in knowing about it ...


(Not the Primarni towel behind .. I know all about that!)


This little owl came to live at our house this week, by very kind courtesy of Gilly.  She had blogged about some other owls that she had made, and I admired them and asked if they were for sale, as my Millie loves owls.  Lovely Gilly replied by email, insisting that she make me one as a present for my upcoming birthday! Thank you so much Gilly, once again I am swept away by the kindness of fellow bloggers.


I'm going to do my chores now, as I'm not at work until after school, then I'm going to get my crochet bag out (another 50p find) and carry on with the flowers I'm currently addicted to making, from this months Mollie Makes.


As the sun's shining, I think I'll have a little potter in the garden, and see if I can salvage anything from the destruction that my feathered friends have wreaked upon it!


A big hello to all my new followers ... you're always welcome here!

Recently I've been nominated for some awards.  The most recent one was from Ali for the Super Sweet Bloggin Award, and earlier this year I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Gillian and Hazel.  I'm always very flattered to receive nominations as I can't quite believe that anyone actually reads my ramblings, never mind award me for them, and I always have very good intentions to follow them up like a good blogger should ... but in reality, I'm sorry, I haven't organised myself yet, and I'm always worried in case I upset anyone by leaving them out, when they've been nice to me.  I really need to get a grip, but once again, thank you!

Have a lovely week, and I hope the sun shines for you!

Love Claire xxx

56 comments:

  1. Hi Claire, I SO know what you mean! The appearance of the golden ball in the sky at the weekend was just glorious, I wish it were here to stay but as you said, its gonna change again!! Lovely while it lasts though isn't it.
    BH x
    (PS - LOVE your use of the Golden Syrup pot, I may have to 'borrow' that idea if you dont mind!! x)

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    1. No I do 't mind at all BH! I se them for candles too, if you'd like to try that

      Claire xx

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  2. You are very worthy of the award Claire, you have a great little blog! Yes the sun is great, it's cold but at least it looks lovely, wonderful little owl, we have some great Bloggy mates don't we! :) x

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    1. Hello Ada, thank you, you're very kind!

      Claire xx

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  3. youre so right, a bit of sun and it puts everyone in a good mood! ( as long as its not too hot) I also always hang my washing outside and that smell of fresh laundry, cant beat it can you?

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    1. I've just put mine on the bed ... Smells amazing!

      Love Claire xxx

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  4. We have a nice blue sky now and I do believe that could be some sunshine! This morning the school run was very cold and frosty though :) xx

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    1. It was very cold here too Cheryl, but I don't mind as long as the sun's shining!

      Love Claire xxx

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  5. Awww the sun shine always makes You feel brighter, Claire! I am soo 'happy' that You are 'happy'! hehe...LOVE the peg bag ( I do have a thing for them too) Congrats on those awards! Nice peeps on here, isn't there!! ~Take time too dream ~and keep happy! love Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria, I remember that you keep buying peg bags! Hope you're happy too

      Lve Claire xxx

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  6. Brrrr it was cold here this morning but now the sun is shining and its glorious!!! xx

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  7. Yours is the best blog Claire! You deserve to be awarded!

    Julie @mrsmarsa xxx

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    1. Aww Julie, thank you! You've made me blush ...

      Claire xxx

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  8. Isn't it lovely to see the sun. It certainly makes everyone feel so much better. I know what you mean about passing on blog awards. I could have listed loads more people. I have to say I really enjoy reading your "ramblings". It's lovely to see all your vintage finds. I have a peg back my gran made me when I first married. I can't part with it and that fabric must have a history as she definitely made do and mended. Enjoy the sunny day .
    Ali x

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    1. He'll Ali, thank you for the lovely award ... You're more organised than me! I love old things, they mean far more to me than a shop full of new stuff.

      Enjoy the sunshine!

      Claire xxx

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  9. Your blog is so uplifting Claire. I love this little insight into your day. Its a gorgeously bright but chilly day here but it does make you feel so much better to see proper daylight and blue skies rather than gloomy colourless landscapes. The little peg bag is very sweet and as a fellow owl lover - well that's adorable! Love and Light xx

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    1. Thank you Kim, I love yours too ... Hope you're enjoying crafting in your lovely new wooden house!

      Love Claire xx

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  10. It has been such a lovely day - just what we all need!

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    1. Totally agree Dawn, better than any medicine!

      Love Claire xxx

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  11. I love to pop over here and 'come in'!! We had our sunshine yesterday, and that was a good thing for our holiday "Family Day". Today is chucking down rain, and the temps have finally risen ABOVE 0 to +2'C!!! We've had such a cold winter, that I don't mind the mild temperatures now. Congrats on your awards :) Love the little hoot owl. Wendy

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    1. Hello Wendy, spring'll be here soon and we'll forget how bad winter was!

      Thanks for popping over, you're always welcome

      Claire xxx

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  12. I totally love the peg bag. I love that someone made it and used it and someone else recognised that it was worth something to someone and gave it away. I am sure you will cherish it.

    Enjoy the sunshine.

    Eleanor xx

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    1. Hello Eleanor, I'll always use it now until it falls apart!

      Love Claire xx

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  13. Hi Claire - love the peg bag, I wonder who put their pegs into it, its been a lovely sunny day here today, with washing on the line. Went a little walk to our scrapstore which has a great range of arts and craft finds, all donated by people who have no use for it, got a lovely lot of lace and fabric for 40p! Juliex

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  14. Ooh Julie that sounds good! What's the scrapstore, I'm intrigued!

    Love Claire xxx

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  15. Hi Claire,enjoyed your post,I have the same bedlinen as you! but I am still lazy and putting it in the tumbler(Is that very bad?)I do peg out on warmer sunny days!! Congratulations on your awards your posts are always so cosy!'Bye for now Pam.

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    1. Hi Pam, you've changed your name!

      I love that bedding, but liked the original more as was a bit more faded, I have one pillowcases still but getting very threadbare!

      Get your washing on the line ... Much nicer ... An cheaper!

      Love Claire xxx

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  16. Lovely pics, Claire - am sooo enjoying these sunny days here too. Everyone seems to be just that little bit more joyful :-)
    Glad you like the little owl too and thanks for the mention & link.
    Enjoy the rest of the week,
    xx

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  17. Hello Gilly, you're very welcome and a little parcel's on the way to you too!

    Love Claire xx

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  18. It has just been lovely, seeing the sun make a return. I love the pegbag, and with the wooden pegs, what a find. Well don on all the blogging awards, they are well deserved!

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  19. Thank you for dropping in and let's hope the sun's shining tomorrow too!

    Love Claire xxx

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  20. The sunshine always makes you feeling better :) Love the peg bag x

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  21. Hello Jo, nice to see you ... when are you going to show us what's in the bag?

    Love Claire xx

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  22. What a lovely start to the day, early morning sunshine always inspires me . I loved your bargain peg bag too!
    Sarah x

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  23. I wish we were having the weather you are. We are suppose to get 8 inches of snow tomorrow night............ yuck

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  24. Ooh, hope you can stay in, wrapped up warm and cosy Tammy! xx

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  25. Thanks for your lovely comment.I love your peg bag..it looks like a Sanderson material.Love the cute owl too...Gilly makes such pretty things.
    Your little plants breaking through cheer me up and remind me Spring is only just round the corner. Have just put a wash on,but I don't think I'll be hanging it out...little flakes are falling and it's frrreezing this morning!
    Have a happy weekend.
    Love Bellaboo X

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    1. Hello Bellaboo ... lovely to have you drop in!

      I thought it might be Sanderson too, but not sure, so you've confirmed it for me ....

      Freezing here today, I'm just off for a walk up to the beach, brrrr!

      Have a lovely weekend

      Claire xxx

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  26. Hi Claire...I know what you mean about washing dried on the line ..it smells delightful and it's definitely one thing I miss about summer...love your cute owl ..what a kind gift....have a nice weekend ..Gail x

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    1. Hi Gail, hope you have a lovely weekend too and hope to see you on 3 March!

      Love Claire xxx

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  27. I am always impressed and touched by the kindness of bloggers, it's a wonderful community to be part of. The sun does make such a difference to everyone's moods, you're right. x

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    1. Hello Gillian, we have such a lovely, kind and caring community on here ... I'm so glad to be part of it!

      Love Claire bxxx

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  28. HI Claire,

    I love your upbeat post and it is amazing how a sunny day can make for a happy and wonderful day.
    I don't own a drier so all my washing gets dried outdoors or if it is wet on a clothes horse inside and I agree with how everything smells so fresh and lovely.
    Love the sweet peg bag and the cute owl. Great to have the friendship and kindness of other bloggers.
    Congratulations on your Awards, always delightful to visit you, thanks.
    Happy weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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    1. Hi Carolyn!

      I bet your washing is hung out a lot more than mine is!

      Lovely to have you pop in, I hope you're having a fab weekend ...

      Love, Claire xxx

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  29. Claire, I haven't read all the comments so don't know if I'm the only person to suggest this, but peg bags like that were a common project for school sewing classes in the sixties and seventies, and off cuts and salvaged bits of fabric were often used, maybe that's what you have there :) Whoever made it it's lovely :)

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  30. Hi Annie, that could well be where Peggie came from! I remember my Nana having a very similar one when I was a little girl in the 60's ... The pegs are really lovely, the wood is very smooth and darkened with age, far superior to the Woden ones you buy nowadays, which split easily. Give me old, faded, worn and frayed any day!

    Love Claire xxx

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  31. Evening Claire

    Oh it was lovely to meet up with you today. We had so much in common and so much to talk about!! Looking forward to the fair next weekend. Mily is such a sweetie.
    Loved your latest post - especially the washing on the line - you can't beat it. One day I'll have a blog - need to sort out my time management!!

    See you next week.

    Love Portia xxx

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    1. Hello Portia, was lovely seeing you and your friend today, and looking forward to next week ... Just seen your lovely doll on your profile pic so will be nice to see them in the flesh so to speak!

      Love Claire xx

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  32. Hello lovely...it seems I am a little late to the party :-) not sur how I missed this post, the sunshine makes ALL the difference to how people feel, its been so grey lately and the blue skies are so very welcome...grey here today but we are off to the seaside anyhow for a good ramble...
    the peg bag is gorgeous my lovely nan was called Peggy :-)xx
    take good care have a happy sunday
    love sophie xx
    p.s thank you so much for all your kind support with my blog hop, it really did mean so much that you were there with me!! thanks hon xx

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  33. Have a lovely time at the seaside Sophie, I've already had my constitutional beside the sea today! Thanks for your lovely comments and love Hettie Brown ...

    Love Claire xxx

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  34. J'aime beaucoup le hibou ! Il est trop mignon!

    Bonne semaine!

    xxx Maria xxx

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  35. Hi and thankyou for popping by my blog and your kind words ,love the peg bag its really sweet

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  36. Hello and thankyou for popping by and for your kind words , i love your peg bag xxx

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I love to hear what you think of my ramblings and value all your comments ... I will try and get back to you, but am sorry if I don't always manage this ... sometimes real life just gets in the way! Claire xxx