Serendipi-tea

Firstly, oh it is snowing, it is snowing! When I woke up and peeked out this morning it was just very dark and very cold, but when I opened the front door, it was like stepping out into a snow globe that had just been shaken.

I must confess to having mixed feelings about snow- I worry about the roads and slipping over and those I love having to travel in it, and getting snowed in and all manner of things. But I also love the magicalness of it, the way it drifts and falls, the strange light it produces. Although it is a work day so I am worrying gently, I am also quite excited as I have a recipe for a dessert that calls for eight cups of fallen snow- so when I get home tonight I shall be stepping into the kitchen! (If all goes well I shall post the recipe Tuesday- I had until now forgotten all about having Monday off work as it is a bank holiday!)

Now as to Serendipi-tea! This coming year I shall once more be traveling through the year with Sarah Ban Breathnachs' 'Simple Abundance' which is a lovely, lovely daybook. One of the ideas she brings up is that by thinking positively you will attract positive things to you, and so on. Well having read an interview with Burlesque star Dita Von Teese, I had decided that I quite like the dark hair-red lips-vintage movie star look. Sadly because she is a Burlesque star, I cannot access her website for interviews and stealing fashion/beauty tips. But I was at the market yesterday, choosing out some magazines (there is this wonderful stall that sells slightly out of date titles at 3 for £1.50!) and I picked out one magazine quite unknowing, and when I got it home last night discovered that there was a whole interview with her inside! Hurrah! Serendipity at work methinks.

(Having read through my post,don'tt worry, I have no plans to start wearing ostrich feathers and whipping my clothes off like her!)

Originally I had planned to go see the Chronicles of Narnia at the cinema tonight with my fiance and a friend, but the friend has to come in from the sticks, so if it is still snowing we may not go. In which case I will be writing out my beautiful new purple address book. Did I mention that I love stationery?! Of course if it is still snowing and I cannot go to the cinema, I will probably be playing in the snow. Anyone have any snowy traditions, games or recipes to share?

New Years Targets

I am a great believer that it is far more positive to have New Years Targets rather than resolutions. It seems that resolutions seem to be about stopping doing things which is all rather negative and dull, while Targets give you something to aim for, and can be more frivolous and fun.

So mine this year include to go to the Christmas Markets in Bruges or Cologne; learn to cook one new dish a month; be more punctual; experiment with herbal teas; and to keep a diary or blog.

So to the end of keeping a diary or blog, I have set up this. I don't intend to impose upon myself that I must post every day (for one thing I have computer access only at work) but I do intend to do so regularly anyway...

So a teeny bit about me, to paint a little picture of who is sitting typing away at this keyboard. Well, I work in a library, and although I am sick sick sick of people saying in response to this 'It must be lovely to read all day' (Yes, it would be, but that is not my job!) I do love reading and can often be found stealing a few minutes to read when I should really be getting ready. I like to dabble in crafts, and love to spend a quiet hour crocheting flowers or knitting with some delicious wool (although at the moment to be fair, my enthusiasm outweighs my skills! This year I vow to move on to knitting more exciting things than scarves. I have managed socks on two needles, so next for something with a little more shaping I think). I like to play in the kitchen too, although things often bite me here- like the hot oven door, or the milk boils over...I take a great deal of pleasure in a cup of tea, my favourite being the rose blend from Whittards. I like to drink it while it is hot hot hot, thus necessitating those little tiny sips to avoid being burnt! I am merrily planning my August 2007 wedding, and live with my fiance, an aquarium of goldfish and a newly acquired (and surprisingly sweet) corn snake about a forty minutes train journey outside of London...which is happily only a twenty minute drive from the river esturary and a great many open fields to roam through.

Here are a few of my favourite websites for you to explore

http://www.brocantehome.com
http://www.ljcfyi.com
http://www.vintagepretty.blogspot.com
http://www.pemberley.com