I'm dreaming of a moss Christmas...

Little by little, step by step...

... small signs of the season are appearing here and there...

True to nature - both mine and Mother Nature herself - I keep on "mossing" the place.

The little "tree" above was made by a twig from the forest (with a convenient "tripod" at 

the top end), a moss ball and some conkers to keep it steady in the concrete pot.

***

And if we look the other way... 

Well, a mini Christmas tree has found its way in, subtly decorated with some tin hearts.

Perhaps I have gone a little overboard with the moss this year, but I find it a lovely way of introducing a natural, seasonal vibe to the house, and one which does not cost a thing! However, with fresh moss come a LOT of new house friends... and the slug that was found yesterday hanging in a thin thread of its own slime, dangling under the moss wreath I have made and hung above the kitchen table (will show you soon), well, he has been shown the door and will have to find somewhere else to celebrate the festive season!

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last post and welcome to all new readers!

All the best,

Helena

I have heard a whisper...

... that something special is happening quite soon...

... which will involve flying reindeer and awkward incidents with chimneys and bellies too big...

So I have started gathering my moss and planting my hyacinths...

... because I heard it all from a pixie in Lappland... so it must be true!

***

Last year, this room looked like this:

... and I think there is a chance those NOEL letters will soon emerge again, 

and pine cones may find themselves potted and "mossed"!

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Helena

Weekend walkies...

So what does one do a sunny weekend in November...?

One could perhaps go for a muddy walk...

... maybe enjoy a few minutes of watching grown men cuddling on the ground
(forgive me, all rugby fans, I am a little ignorant of the rules of this sport)...

 Perhaps admire the view of another back-side (the clue is in the moo)...

But best of all, one could enjoy a competitive game of Pooh sticks! As in Winnie the. As in drop a twig on one side of the bridge and hope it comes out first on the other. And if it doesn't, claim the one that did was yours. Perhaps not in the best Winnie the Pooh spirit, but boys will be boys. Need I say the worst looser is the oldest "boy" of the three...?

Thank you for all your lovely comments on my last blog post. 

I wish you all a brilliant start to the new week!
Helena

A sticky American situation...

Those of you who have been following me for some time now know that I have a weakness for several interior styles, one of which is the star-studded "New England" style...

So yesterday, when I made some 

American pancakes as a special treat for the boys ...

... the craft-starved yours truly just had to play a little making instant mini-bunting 

("instant" here reads "glue" rather than sewing machine) and flags to top off...

... the pile of pancakes covered in drippy, sticky, gorgeous American syrup...

And all this just because a few weeks ago I happened to stumble upon ...

... a local gem...

A fabulous little vintage café in our neighbour village Box... 

Toast Coffee House is owned by lovely Lucy and Simon Wright, 

and not only do they always make you feel very welcome...

... they have created a fabulous little slice of vintage heaven in their former garage (!),

offering coffees, cakes and lighter bites, which you can enjoy at one of the old wooden tables, 

whilst you listen to the shelves whispering tempting tunes of pretty tins and yummy foods...

(Love the coasters Lucy has made from old grain (?) sacks! - Not for sale.-)

***

Again, I bow humbly at your incredibly kind words on my last blog post. I am very frustrated I have not got the time to visit you all and tell you in person how happy and "lifted" I feel when I read your amazing comments, but thank you, THANK YOU! Every comment is like being given a hug and an approving pat on the back, and I soar. I think I might just have the loveliest readers in the blog universe!

Helena

Golden glory for lunch anyone...?

After an inspired autumn walk, I felt like bringing some golden sunshine into the house...

A few - by the man in the house - home grown pumpkins were still around...

One small home-made willow wreath on the table, a leaf-clad larger ditto hanging above...

And yes, for those of you wondering, the photo above 

was taken whilst levitating, in true Halloween spirit...

My hessian (burlap) fabric here again used as table cloth and glass decoration. 

(See here how it was used for a spring table.) 

And the best bit? With the exception of the two pears and the rustic bread, 

all the material was old, recycled or free from the forest...

May all your meals be sun-lit and scrumptious today!

Helena

Mother Nature's mood board...

A few days ago, we went for a walk in and around the lovely village of Castle Combe again...

... discovering that Mother Nature...

(The Old Rectory Tea Rooms, here decorated for autumn. See here what it looked like in August.)

... was in full swing creating her golden mood board for the season...

Our walk at one point crossed the golf course behind the village...

...but for those of you who are golfers, don't worry, despite being a snap-happy girl, not afraid to climb high and low for a good shot, I did keep strictly to the paths on the golf course...

There is a saying in Swedish that "green is lovely and yellow is ugly" ("grönt är skönt och gult är fult"). Yellow may perhaps not be my favourite colour, but when Mother Nature is holding the paint brush, her art work is FAR from ugly..!

In fact, I was so inspired by this golden glory, that I decided to bring some of it indoors...

... and in my next blog post, I will show you how...

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last blog post. You make my day!

Wishing you all a golden day!

Helena