I am hooked....

Once in awhile I pick up a book and get "hooked"... it's what good writers do.
They hook you and reel you in like a helpless fish on a line.
It is the most experienced and skillfull writers who are able to hook us.
(I consider myself to be somewhat over read and jaded.)

When I pick up a book I expect milque toast...just try and woo me with words, I dare you!
I am not a book snob, I read all and sundry...
I read for work and yearn for pleasure...
So I am over the moon when I find a clever writer who has the ability to take me away on an unexpected journey...
It starts so innocently with a sentence, then a paragraph and a chapter or two later, I am giddy.

Last night I was more than somewhat weary...
it was a gruelling week at school...
my time, most of which was spent, hiding out in the hot confines of the bookroom with trolleys full of textbooks...
I soldiered on late into the afternoon...
sustaining myself with glasses of cold water with lemon slices.

I came home knackered...

Mavis Cheek to the rescue!
Cheek is a brilliant writer...her use of words and imagery is above and beyond the norm.
I have indulged myself...

Ah! the luxury of lying in bed reading on a sunny morning,...
sipping a coffee delivered to me by Mr. HB...
pinch me, but I digress.

I had to pry myself from the book...it's a page turner...

I have other domestics calling and an afternoon at the theatre with my Mother...
our last of the season.

I will be sneaking as many moments in as I am able to continue reading this refreshing and new to me novelist.

You might not hear from me for awhile!

What author or novel are you reading?

Are you hopelessly hooked like me?

Kitchen carpet

I have a new carpet!

I have placed it in my kitchen and I love the way it brightens up the area. It is soft on my bare feet as I pad about the kitchen working.
My neighbour Margo who is moving, was throwing it out....she mentioned that her father bought it at an auction many years ago....thanks Margo. (She hails from eastern Canada)

Rugs and carpets are a mystery to me...wools, the dyes, the patterns...
I have absolutely no idea where this rug was woven or what kind of style it is...all I know is that I like it.
I think that's enough.

It fits in with the smaller rug I already own.

I could research it...but am rather busy at the moment.

Anyone out there know where it might be from or it's age?
I welcome any comments and who knows maybe we can figure this out collectively...
as we say in school....put your thinking caps on!

Hope that you have a great weekend.

What's in my handbag....

I was interested in the latest post from the Daily Connoisseur on what's in my handbag...seen here

She has a very tidy and organized bag...it got me thinking...
I grabbed my camera and took a quick shot of the bag I used today...Elliot Lucca
any relation to Monserrat de Lucca ? cousins perchance?

and dumped out the contents of my bag...

Contents as follows;

Starbucks Gum, 

Volvo keys,  

LG cellphone ( emergencies only phone) 

Spencer and Rutherford wallet,

Scholastic tape measure (freebie from a book fair)

Stim-U-Dents ( if your over 50 try these)

cuticle scissors ( Libraries and gardens take their toll)

Rebar snack (in case I am hypoglycemic and want fries and a burger)

 zebra print roll up carry bag (top left)

Chanel lipstick #11 Legende

Chanel lipgloss #69 

Keep Calm and Carry On...mirror

Persol polarized sunglasses

a GRAMMY BRAG BOOK

almost full of photos of Isla....

I am wondering what is in your handbag?

I need a new summer bag...any suggestions?

I love the Coach Limited Edition Straw Bag

any thoughts?

Paint it Black

 

Paint it Black

I spied this vintage wicker rocker on the boulevard with a FREE sign on it!

I didn't hesitate 

I stopped driving and popped it in the back of my Volvo wagon.

It took two coats of paint 

a seat of plywood cut to fit by Mr. HB (thank you darling!)

and a cushion will be purchased at Pier One

to match the ones on my front porch.

I am going to put the new rocker in the backyard 

Remember this freebie?

I picked it up on the boulevard and painted it black.

I will place this near the rocker

This stool needs to be tucked into the garden with a large plant on top.

I am placing a bowling ball on top of this stand

then tucking it into the perennial border.

Strolling around while the paint dries...

I love these foamy flowers

They contrast with the foliage

Wooly Thyme

these play a role in my next project...

slate pieces are to be laid down to form a bit of a garden path

near our "working area" of the garden.

and these will be planted in between the slate to form a living carpet.

I need a place to sift soil, compost, and store my wheelbarrow

so Mr. HB erected a bit of lattice fence to hide and define this part of the garden.

I'll take some photos when I complete the job.

Garden tour highlights...

I recently went on a garden tour...
I love gardening and all things garden-y...

I find such beauty in flowers and greenery,
it feeds my soul.
Ideas and inspiration flow...
after one has been on a tour of gardens.

Outdoor "rooms" were created by the talented green thumbs...
not only did I glimpse fabulous plantings, I saw cozy seating areas and dining spaces...

These chairs just beg to be sat in...

 I can place myself there...

with a mug of tea...

sitting...

for a few minutes...

before spying a rogue weed that needs to be pulled!

"A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered"

Emerson