It’s June. Flaming June, as the painting by Lord Frederick Leighton has it. So far, not a very warm, hot or languid season. But give it time. I never mind a cool summer. I’m not a lover of heat, so even were it to be beaming sunshine, languid heat and air so humid you could suck it in great lungfuls and feel the steam as … Continue reading Whether it Rains or Shines, there’s always time for a Book.
How is it the end of January already? And how have I been so busy elsewhere that I’ve only written 2 or 3 posts? Actually, that’s easy. I’ve been working in the office, catching up on the post-Christmas rush, and also gained a couple of pupils to tutor. I may only teach them in 1 hour sessions, but the preparation, travelling and time allocated to … Continue reading A Month of Hygge Happiness
Sanctuary is my Word of the Year for 2022. I chose it because the idea of a space away from the world and safe from external attacks appealed to me, especially after a rough couple of Covid years. And I knew when I chose the word that the meaning, both physical and mental, would be important to me. I wanted to rebuild the inner sanctuary … Continue reading Book Friday: Spirit of the Home (How to Make your Home a Sanctuary) by Jane Alexander
Friday 26th November, and I’m in work. Storm Arwen is bashing the door, pelting the office with hail and making me wish perhaps I wasn’t due to go collect lunch today. Never mind: I have my candle, my aromatherapy diffuser and my little Bob Cratchit stove at the ready, so perhaps I’ll hunker down, keep doing the work and hope that Arwen passes by before … Continue reading What’s my Christmas this year going to be? Mindful.
I have a massive apology to make here. In Monday’s post, I listed Advent by Anja Dunk as one of my Advent books, the small volumes I wrap and give myself on the Sundays of Advent. That was written at my desk in the office, where I do most of my writing and without all of the books actually being present in front of me. … Continue reading Book Friday: Advent by Anja Dunk (Festive German Bakes to Celebrate the Coming of Christmas)
If ever I go bankrupt, I want you to know that it will not be because of my extravangant spending on shoes, clothes, meals out or holidays. No, siree. If ever I go bankrupt it will be because my money, every spare bit of it plus a little extra, goes on books. Real books, second hand or new books, Kindle books or hardback. Books are … Continue reading My Bookshelves are looking full… Lining Up My Reads for November and December.
I keep a very slap-dash personal journal: although I dream of filling leather-bound volumes with my erudition and wisdom, mostly my journalling is a few lines here and there about what I’ve been up to, how I’m feeling or what I need to do next in life. I keep them together in their own Filofax at home, and carry a couple of pages dedicated to … Continue reading Writing it Out: Hygge Journal Prompts for October and November
Spoiler: The answer is nothing. When I first started writing about hygge and happiness five years ago this week the newspapers were filled with articles on hygge and how to hygge, very often listing items that you needed to buy to achieve the full hygge lifestyle. I wrote about how that wasn’t necessary in my post, How to hygge when there’s too much month left … Continue reading How Much Does Hygge Cost?
How to Hygge the British Way 