Sunday Morning

I am going to be straight with you...

This is not a 'Beauty of the Ordinary' picture
it is a 'We don't have a Dishwasher' picture.

This is because I am too precious about my china
but I tell MrM that it is because
I value the opportunity to talk to him
while he dries up.

Which is also true.

Message for Debbie George

Debbie George ~ Quail Eggs

Hello Debbie,
I found this painting accidentally
and fell in love immediately.

Unfortunately it has been sold.

All is not lost...
there are also your paintings of
anemone,
cyclamen,
hellebore
on sale at the Bircham Gallery.

I can't decide which one I love best
but already my credit card is
squeaking with fright.

*****

I contacted Debbie
to ask permission to use this image
and she replied with the most delightful email.
She has an exhibition in London
starting on 12th September...
details to follow !

A Room With A View

MissM will see this view
when she opens her curtains
every morning for the next year.

Yesterday I stood at the window
watching the pigeons fly around the tower,
listening to the bells chime the hour,
absorbing the beauty of it,
and I was so glad for her.

A Little Teapot

I asked for permission
to photograph the teapots

and the shop assistant
looked completely mystified

I explained that it was
my daughter's first teapot

which might not seem very important
to anyone else

but I know it is not that long ago
that she danced to this song.

Domestic Chores

MrM and MrsM have to buy a new car.
This is a Boring but Important Chore.
MrM would rather read the newspaper
or watch rugby on television.
These are Interesting and 'Necessary' Chores.

MrsM finally issues an ultimatum.
MrM realises that procrastination is no longer an option.
MrsM hands MrM the phone and the telephone directory
and MrM phones the garage
to make an appointment for a test drive.

MrM and MrsM get in the car to drive to the garage.
MrsM sighs with relief because
the new car is within her grasp.
MrM has a resigned droop of the shoulders.

The garage is closed.
It is not just closed for lunch
or for the weekend.
It is closed permanently
and the windows are painted over.

MrsM is aghast...
and MrM suddenly feels as though
the universe is on his side.

He is even cheerful enough
to suggest visiting other garages
which are on the way home
so perhaps all is not lost.

*****

In case you were wondering,
the phone call was transferred
to another garage about 20 miles away.
As MrM discovered in an urgent call
while MrsM drove round and round
a motorway roundabout.

Saturday Evening in South Kensington

We join the crowds in Kensington Gore
enjoying the stroll towards the Royal Albert Hall.

Up the staircase and along the corridor
to the tiny door which must be unlocked
before we can go into our box
swathed and festooned in red plush and velvet.

There is a little table at the back of the box
and we stand around at the interval
and enjoy sushi and chilled Pouilly-Fumé.

After the concert it is still early enough
to sit in Carluccio's
and eat ice cream out of tall slim glasses.

It was an evening of wonderful music
and unexpected delights.

MasterM and the Sea

Hemingway at Walloon Lake, Michigan 1904

MasterM packs his bag
for a week of Marlin fishing
in Madeira

passport - check
tickets - check
gift for host - check

(MrsM expresses surprise and delight
at this organised approach to packing.)

Hemingway at Walloon Lake, Michigan

MasterM displays books which have been chosen
specifically for holiday reading!

(MrsM is enchanted)

MasterM says "I might need something to read
if the boat is captured
by Somali pirates.

(MrsM doesn't blink)

Just kidding..."

Hemingway at Walloon Lake, Michigan

MasterM selects some smart clothes
in case they go out to eat in a restaurant!

(Stop! Stop! This is all too much for MrsM!)

MasterM counts the T shirts in the pile

"No...that is not enough...
I expect they will all get covered with fish guts
so I might need some spares."

(MrsM is back in her comfort zone with a bump.)

Hemingway, off Bimini 1935

MissM, Pâtissier

A message from MissM:

The Caramel Shortbread is ready for tea!!

What could be nicer?

Please note that it is presented on
The Healthy Options Platter.

Please also note that
it is cut into large and small pieces
which demonstrates our commitment to
Portion Control.

Marshmallow Marble

It was so hot in Siena
that I could hardly bear to breathe.

The thought of queuing in the sun
on the steps of the Duomo was intolerable

so we sat in the shade
and admired the extravagant facade
and planned where to have lunch.

The columns curve and swirl upwards
in a riotous fantasy of pink and white

from the marble pavement
where the monk administrator
sits patiently at his desk.

In 1339 a massive extension was started
but the outbreak of Black Death in 1348.
limited the ambitious plans and the building stopped.

This is the cut-price version.

It reminds me of a fairy-tale castle
of pink and white marshmallows
that I created on top of a birthday cake for MissM.

I wonder if she remembers it?

A Silvery Story with a Happy Ending

This story has a beginning
in which MrsM struggled with her conscience...

flower charm with small ivory freshwater pearl

but then inspiration struck
and MrsM wrote secretly to SilverPebble

fish

"Can we talk charm bracelets?
I really want one
but it must be different to MissM's."

butterfly with small ivory freshwater pearl

And then there was a flurry of emails
about charms and enamel
and pearls and crystals
and it was all very exciting.

house with small sterling bead

And now the story has a happy ending
because the bracelet has arrived
and is utterly delicious.

Especially the Magpie.

Magpie with small sterling beads

Thank you, Emma
I am absolutely thrilled.