Autumn Cottage Diarist

Any Fool Can Waste Their Money!

MiL, six feet tall, off to New York to be an interpreter at the UN, having already 'escorted' German spies back to the UK from post-war France.

My mother in law was not short of a bob or two. Coming from a very privileged background, where stiff upper lips and steel spines were much in evidence, but also born in the 1920's, she was a woman of the War Years, when 'being careful' was a way of life for almost every family in the UK. Partly from her own mother, but also from circumstance (and her own independent spirit) she was never above rolling up her sleeves, gettting down on her hands and knees and scrubbing floors, or doing anything else that was required, if necessity demanded it; she was also as canny as they come in matters of thrift. Willing to spend good money on good food, good clothes and good education, she was also a past master at economy and careful spending.

One of her favourite expressions, which resonated loudly with me,  was that 'any fool can waste their money' and over the years I have become even more convinced of the veracity of that concept (though I think I might put it a tad more politely!). I am still astonished at how much some people whom I hold in high regard will nevertheless pay way over the odds to have a handbag, a sofa, a piece of jewellery or gadgetry with a 'Name' attached to it. Not something that I ever feel a need to do simply for the 'flash value' of the name - though the name of Quality will always ring my bell.

I've been very fortunate to be complimented by friends when they have visited my house, and yes, we have been very lucky to have inherited a few 'good' pieces of furniture (good in the sense of beautifully made and durable) but honestly - look closer and  you will see that this house is mainly filled with items from junk shops, furniture warehouses, charity shops, bargain retail outlets and not a few skips, as well as from ordinary High Street shops. Not only to be thrifty, which I learned from my own upbringing, but also because it is much more fun!

So from today, I'm adding a new 'Thrifty Décor' category to Autumn Cottage Diarist, to share my 'interiors & exteriors' finds and choices. I'm most definitely not setting myself up as a Style Guru but just sharing lucky finds - both new and second-hand - that fit in to the ambience of Autumn Cottage. I hope some of you will enjoy the 'fun of the finding' as well.

Last year I was thrilled to find a beautiful 'Sleeping Fox' cushion in 'Next' (above). Do you remember it? Three of my Internet friends loved it enough to seek one out for themselves - and I suspect they may also fall for this striking purchase made today (seen yesterday - but I try nowadays to wait 24 hours to test out my true 'need' for something) - called 'Hop' it features a running hare, and was found in 'Habitat at Homebase' for £12.00 UK pounds. It's available here online and comes with a polyester cushion pad.

Just a few doors away from Homebase is another favourite store - our local 'Poundstretcher', where I acquired a couple of very pleasing coffee mugs a few months ago - thin bone china (I dislike mugs with a thick rim) which holds the heat beautifully, and pleasing 'Autumn Fruits' patterns which are very much at home here in Autumn Cottage. £1.49 each - or £2.50 for two. Half a dozen more of those came home with me today - to keep as spares when one (inevitably) gets broken, but also to use when my writing & self-development workshops are in progress and a nice cup of tea is just the ticket!

Talking of a nice cup of tea... I'm off to put the kettle on - anyone up for a cuppa?

 

Is the Season Turning?

Some changeable weather here over the last few weeks - firstly baking and burning, with the thermometer hitting 30C - then a plunge into heavy rain and a fall to 'chilly'. Cold enough for me to turn the Stanley stove on again last night after three weeks off. (In truth, this is as much for the heat of the stove itself, which I miss for its usefulness in drying off all sorts of items, more than the heating system it supplies, which is still turned off).

As you can see, this tempermentality of temperature has caused a leaf-fall around some of the trees, and a certain 'something' has definitely lingered in the morning air from the nights before for the last three days. Having placed a memorial candle outside the gate on Monday night, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the entry of Britain to World War 1, the stand and candle were soaked in unexpectedly heavy dew when I brought them in at 11 pm.

The candle at the gate - 9pm on 4th August 2014 - awaiting 'lights out' for a one-hour vigil at 10pm

But the sun still continues to shine more often than not - and when it does, it still has warmth enough to encourage the numerous butterflies which visit the buddleia bushes and other garden flowers - one of the best features of this time of the year. One or two Fritillaries have passed by - unfortunately not when my camera has been to hand - but mostly it is the Peacock butterflies which make this their port of call. This one below is visiting the darkest purple - and my most favourite buddleia of all.

Lets go on one of our strolls around the garden so I can show you what else is going on right now...

The Echinops is a great favourite of the bees...

 A few Echinacea - valiant survivors, having been grown from seed, of numerous slug attacks.

Hydrangeas in pots outside the conservatory - they have liked the mild, wet winter very much

Over in the gravel garden, one of the best by-products of the free-seeding cottage garden plants - more litttle plants to pot up and share! These are Stachys lanata ('Lambs ears') and oregano.

And at the bottom of the garden, by the lower pond - my own little private 'Shed of the Year', (shall I enter the national competition next time?), which continues to give me much pleasure and has become a popular venue for heart to heart chats over a cuppa for adults, and a fine fairy-spotting place for Little Visitors!

There's a gathering of hearts - of the ceramic, tin and fabric kind...

...and a few 'heart-stones', picked up in the garden.

And finally, to remind me of the garden butterflies - here is a canvas, picked up yesterday for a song in a sale, which perfectly fits the space - in the summerhouse in summer, and during the winter, in my own heart, as I wait for springtime to return.