New beginnings ....

First of all I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020.

That all your wishes may come true in this fresh new year!

Ours has set off with a wonderful start, 

because our little shop is featured in the first edition of 

the Dutch magazine 'Brocante Special' 

by the makers of Ariadne at Home 

(another well known magazine in the Netherlands)

I felt so very honoured and the response have been overwhelming 💗

When I share this post January is already over.
Makes you realise even more to enjoy every day to the max.

 Last year I was forced to take a step down due to the condition of my eyes.
After my last visit at the eye doctor this past month,
I had to make the decision to quit my part time
job at the hospital.
Although my sight has improved, the remaining side effects will
 keep me from an eight hours day filled with computer work.

But when one door closes another one opens ...
It will give me time to give our Webshop my full attention
and there are still plans to create a Holiday Let in our annexe.

Last year I had some second thoughts about the whole idea because of my sight,
but now feeling confident enough.
The renovation has therefore been delayed, but there is no rush.
Except for those lovely followers on here and Instagram
who asked if it was already finished because they already fancied a stay 😊

Apart of the stress of having to quit my job, January was a good month.
I did a bit of pottering in the garden, and now in love with my kitchen view ...

You can find the Wooden Trug here

Still have to clean my little Greenhouse to make it look like this again ...

We already made a good intention come true (making more time for friends)
 by having a dinner party ...

You can find the Bottle Light here

Not to mention the Big Garden Birdwatch 2020

You can find the Bird Silhouette Robin here

Although we still have some Winter left I'm already in a Spring mood ...

You can the Photo Frame Evi here 

You can find the Jane Hogben Jug here

You can find the Glass Vase Daisy here

You can find the Circular Woven Basket here and the Embroidered Tea Towel here

And already some new (Easter) stock in our shop ...

You can find the Hanger Rabbit here 

Which means items in our Sale like this Miniature Greenhouse ...



But also cosying up indoors with this handy portable light ...

You can find the Portable Wooden Led Book Lamp here

 

"While it's February, one can
taste the full joys of anticipation.
Spring stands at the gate with
her finger on the latch"

                         Patience Strong

You can find the Jane Hogben Espresso Mug Snowdrop here

Hope to 'speak' you soon again.
Happy new month, happy February!

Anita
~xo~

The Peak District second time around ....

Due to my reduced vision (which takes almost six months now😔) 

I still didn't wrote a blog post about our annual escape to the English country. 

Because computer work isn't really possible at the moment I write this post on my phone

 (which is not the most easiest way🙈) so it will be a short one. 

But I just had to document this lovely trip before we leave for our next holiday.

Again we had our first stop in the wonderful city Cambridge where Spring was at its best!

For the first ever time we booked the same location for the second time and it didn't disappoint, 

because it really felt like coming home at The Wee House on the Hill ....
You can read more about our first stay and see indoors photos of the cottage here

Gorgeous Bluebells at Lea Wood

We had a lovely walk at Dovedale

Our daily walk into the little town Wirksworth

The lovely Secret Orchard Nursery

Serious Wisteria envy 💜

At the cottage a view that never bores ....

And also the same breathtaking view on the little enclosed terrace next to the cottage. 

Not only the cottage gave us a wonderful week
 but also provided me to take some photos of the new Hogben stock
 we picked up during our stay which you can find on our website.

In two weeks time we will leave for the Provence

 to have some family quality time.

Hopefully an eye operation will be on the cards when we return.
Who knows, maybe next time I will be able to write a proper blog post again.

Until then!

Anita
~xo~

Winds of Spring ....

How did that happen, all of a sudden it feels like Spring.

I feel bad about neglecting this space for such a long time. 

It was a very long and busy Winter, with at the end exceptionally cold temperatures, several storms 

and even some snow.

It has been hard times for the birds in my garden. 

So the last days I've been very busy topping up feeders, 

putting out fresh water and providing shelter.

Luckily they still kept visiting my garden under these hard conditions.

While the blue tit is a regular visitor, this thrush certainly isn't. 

The cold weather must have made him expand his territory. 

And of course my little friend who never seems to fail my expectations of its presence.

I'm so very happy my Hellebore's survived the frost.
Still have to wait and see if my Wisteria and the buds of my Camellia also did,
though I covered them against the cold.

With the freezing temperatures we had, I'm so happy to have the possibility to light a fire. 

One of the features in this house that made me fall in love with it instantly.





Nothing so cosy as doing some stitching by the fire.
I've subscribed to The Stitchery, an initiative of the lovely Nicki.
Although I just started my January Kit, it's already so much fun.
Each month you will receive an exclusive embroidery pattern with full instructions,
the base linen on which to stitch and all of the threads required to complete the work.
There will be suggestions for beginner stitches, depending on your ability and personal taste. 

No lack of plans on this side because I also just registered for the free on line course
''how to grow my own flower cutting patch" given by the inspiring Emma of A bunch of Wild
I can't wait to get started in my little greenhouse again.
A rare photo of yours truly in front of my little sanctuary, which was taken as a product photo of the
 Linen Crossover Apron you can find on our website.

Also busy times updating the website with the following new (spring) items ....

Embroidered Tea Towel

Jane Hogben Mug Leaping Hare

Paper Rabbit

Doll Hare

Wooden Window Box

Porcelain Plate Ivy

Bird Silhouette Robin

Botanic Print Fern

With the sun out again and higher temperatures,
I felt like making something Spring to hang on my front door.
I used the Wooden Star, made from branches from the tree in my garden, as base.
With all other props, you can see in the next photo, I just had a go.

And this is the end result ....

I'm so very happy having a 'chat' with you here again, do hope you liked it too.

Have a lovely weekend all!

Anita
~ xo ~