Tuesday 30 August 2011

Gerald Kelly painting

I first saw this painting about twenty years ago in an interior in a magazine and I cut it out to put in my sketchbook.

Lately I have been looking at it again on the internet and last week I won this on ebay.

It's nice to be getting some pictures to go up on the walls. A lot of the things I had in my last house, just don't suit this house. The last one was a Victorian terrace with small cosy rooms, whereas this house is 1930's with larger rooms and a much more modern feel. I find myself decorating it in a different way.

Sunday 28 August 2011

An impromptu visitor

Today we had the most adorable little visitor at my mum's house. 
He dropped into the garden with nonchalant ease, then pressed his little nose up against the window to see whether there was anything interesting going on. 
He discovered that actually he was quite interested, so he invited himself in, had a good look around and generally got his paws under the table. 
Within 20 minutes he was sat on my lap, purring. 
I didn't want him to ever leave.

Saturday 27 August 2011

Sweet peas

Oh I do so love a scented flower...

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Dolly

Last night I went to see a legend in concert. Dolly Parton. I've been listening to her music since my parents played it when I was a child and I wanted to see her perform live while she is still touring and at her peak.
At 65 years old, she was amazing. She was this tiny sparkling firefly up there in the distance. I was mesmerised by her figure and her energy, and of course her music.

There were moments of magic, like when she talked about her childhood growing up in the Smoky mountains and then played My Tennessee Mountain Home against a backdrop of a photo of the family wood cabin. Her loving description of her mother, followed by a rendition of My Coat of Many Colours was really touching, only surpassed by her haunting rendition of Little Sparrow.

For me that's what she does best, telling her own unique story through her music, turning the everyday into something beautiful, poignant and inspiring.

And yet you can't talk about Dolly without mentioning her incredible sense of fun and of humour. Yep, it sure was fun.

Wednesday 17 August 2011

PomPoms

Oh I do like pompoms. In bright colours especially.

Sunday 14 August 2011

A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

It's been ages since we've had a sing-song, and I can't think of a better song to sing along to right now than this.

It speaks of summer nights and romance, and paints London as a happy, hopeful place to be. Which I much prefer to the recent version we witnessed.

My favourite version is sung by the wonderful Vera Lynn.
Here are the words if you want to sing along.

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

When two lovers meet in Mayfair, so the legands tell
Songbirds sing and winter turns to spring
Every winding street in Mayfair falls beneath the spell
I know such enchantment can be
'cause it happened one evening to me

That certain night, the night we met,
there was magic abroad in the air,
There were angels dining at the Ritz
And a nightingale sang in Berkley Square
I may be right, I may be wrong,
but I'm perfectly willing to swear
That when you turn'd and smiled at me
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

The moon that lingered over London town;
Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown
How could he know we two were so in love,
the whole darn world seemed upside down
The streets of town were paved with stars,
It was such a romantic affair,
And as we kissed and said goodnight,
A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square

Our homeward step was just as light
As the tap dancing feet of Astair
And like an echo far away,
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
I know 'cause I was there, that night in Berkeley Square