Thursday 9 July 2009

Reading Room

A few squishy cushions, a comfy sofa, some interesting old books and an inspiring magazine to contemplate. Perfect ingredients for a bit of quiet, peaceful relaxing in what may appear to be a quiet study, contemplative conservatory or elegant corner of my home...

...until I zoom out and show you this!
Aha, a typical Wednesday afternoon at No.25. The books and magazines are there from the night before - untouched since. I wanted to remember this moment because little Arch will be off to nursery in September (in uniform; hmmm, I'm struggling with that a bit - he'll only be just 3!) and ours will no longer be the home of tiny children. Something I'm not exactly in mourning over because what comes next will bring even more exciting times for our boys, but these are little memories and scenes from everyday life I don't ever want to forget.
The earlier part of Wednesday, my playmate and I spent in town on our usual weekly ritual of sweets, newspapers, charity shop browsing and market shopping, and here's what we found on our travels.
~ I wanted to live in a toadstool when I was little - I blame this book! At 60p this little money box was absolutely coming home with us
~ One of my earliest memories is of running about in a union jack hat at the village party on Silver Jubilee day and this lovely cross-stitch is a charming little reminder.
~ I'm head over heels in love with this super new basket, a friend to keep my red one company; such delicious summery colours, and I'm ever so tempted to take my lunch to work in it tomorrow!


~ Oh this is such a treat for 50p - the pictures are just beautiful and are so similar to a book my dad had when he was small and used to read to my sisters and I when we were little.


Now that I'm a big girl I rather fancy living here instead of in the toadstool please. Wonder if there's room in there for a reading room?

19 comments:

Hen said...

Oooh, fabulous basket. Yes, definitely get your sandwiches in there, and a spot of crochet for good measure?
Hen x
P.S. I agree, it's strange children wearing a uniform so young but in fact, its quite helpful, no more quarrels over what he/she will wear "I want the t-shirt with the dinosaur face on it"(!) and you don't mind too much if it gets messy (or inevitably lost)!

Sophie - Chez Sophie said...

Lovely basket, suck a lovely find.
Sophie xx

Bobo Bun said...

Can I tag along with you next time Steph? I love sweets and all of your finds are fabulous. As I saw each one I thought ooohh. The basket is the cream of the lot though.

Lisa x

Yvonne Temple said...

What a brilliant idea to take a picture of a normal busy, child filled, messy day... happy memories. I have a cross stitch exactly the same as the one in your photo.. I actually stitched it myself when I was quite young!! More memories
thanks for the reminders
Yvonne

Pipany said...

With you on this one Steph. Most odd to have little ones in uniform. Isabella starts in Sept too, though only for mornings and with her own clothes (so no doubt I'll be envying you when it comes to it!). ovely thrifty finds. Have a lovely weekend x

Pink Feather Paradise said...

What a fabulously random post... lovely!

I love the toadstool... I always use to look in the hollows in trees and under toadstools to try and find the fairies and woodland folk...

I love the basket and the book, what beautiful bargains, I would love a basket to take to the village cafe to bring my fresh veg home in... I will have to keep looking...

take care
Alex
x

Funkymonkey said...

I love the new basket and such a bargain too.

Tracey

The Curious Cat said...

Love the little toadstool money box - so cute!

This Vintage Life... said...

I'm sure you wouldn't have your home any other way Steph!

It's a great idea to take your lunch in a basket. I've been wondering if I should take mine to the supermarket but I don't know if I dare! So much nicer than all those crumpled carrier bags. I just think I'll resemble Miss Marple...
Deb x

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

I love the baskets! You always find such lovely things!
I am having a giveaway if you have a chance to pop by!
Isabelle x

...Nina Nixon... said...

Hi Steph,

I know how you feel two out of my three will be in school this September - at least I'll have one around for a few years yet.

Lovely bargain finds and that basket - what a gem.

Have a lovely day (and weekend),

Nina x

Helen said...

Oh I need that basket!! What a great shop . . Love H x

LissyLou said...

you have some great buys there. Your first pics made me giggle - all the rooms in my house are like that, pretty much - there always seems to be a kids area!!

*Ulrike* said...

I remember toad stools when I was a little girl in the books we had over in Germany. With the little mice it looked so cute! I wish I could find a basket like that one. I could use it for a lot of things. The picture of the house is so pretty too.

Goosey said...

I remember what it was like having toys all around when my children were younger, I used to limp from treading on 'sticklebricks' and 'lego'!
Now the house is filled with bits of engines, papers from dissitations, jeans and smelly socks! I don't want a photo of that!
Yours look incrediably nice and neat, lovely memories!

Jane said...

Oh, I'm so jealous... I had 'Farmyard Friends' as a child - a hand-me-down from a cousin. Last week I saw a copy at an antiques fair price £25! Lovely to keep a reminder of small children at home, retired husband has a similar effect with CDs, music, books and correspondence in our conservatory now.(Wouldn't mind living in a toadstool - less to keep clean and tidy.)

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Do it, do it, do it. Lunch in the basket!
What a lovely post, I really love the toadstool, i used to draw them all the time when I was wee, this evolved into me trying to make felt 3d versions, hilarious, my poor Mum had to have them all out on display in the kitchen! In fact she ought to get then back out again....................

Love S x

Anonymous said...

I am SO loving these "keep calm and carry on" signs I'm seeing on brittish blogs. Where can I get one!!!??? I want one to put over my desk at work. what's the history on these? I'm assuming this must be war time items?

Melissa
in the usa

Phillippa said...

your room seems so familiar I discovered a Thomas train in my bed this morning, i'm sending my little one off the nursery in sept too,he's 2 and half but he'll be home schooled after that with his brothers and sister- he just needs a bit of time to play with others his age to tire him out!