signs of spring

snowdrops and winter jasmine 

spring blackbird

crocus egg cup

It was winter out there this morning. No frost, just biting cold and grey skies. It almost felt like snow weather. We are keeping our eyes peeled for signs of Spring. The snowdrops are up and so are the crocuses. Blackbirds dash from the hedgerow and there are three robins who vie for food at the backdoor. It's too easy to stay indoors, warm and mollycoddled by the fire but it's where I want to be. At least these woodblock prints by Matt Underwood are chanelling Spring even if the weather isn't quite there yet.

7pm supper

7pm supper by Kate Borrett

I can't be the only person to loose time when it comes to the summer months...it slips away so easily and suddenly it's 7pm and we haven't eaten. But we're nearly finished school and then time becomes that bit less meaningful as there's no routine to set our clocks to and hey, who cares if supper is late?

Artwork to be found at The Edition shop here

to the lighthouse

painting by John Knapp Fisher

We have had the crashing wind and the endless rain for days now. The trees in the garden are almost completely leafless and if you stand outside in the dusky half light the noise of the wind in the branches is almost sea-like. I miss the sea. And so, even though it's November and not exactly a holiday time of year, I'd love to be packing my bags and heading away for a night or two. I even know where I'd go...to a lighthouse where I could hear, smell and see the sea and it's endless variations. And being in my lighthouse I'd also know I'd be totally safe no matter how wild the weather became. I could read Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse or, more likely, The Lighthouse Keeper's Christmas by Ronda and David Armitage. 

I would, quite possibly, only eat the nicest of food and drink the nicest of drinks and sleep with the sound of the waves and the crying of seabirds and maybe the Shipping Forecast would be on in the background. I would wake at first light and after coffee and bacon and eggs, or maybe pancakes and maple syrup, I'd walk along the cliffs and if it got a bit squally I'd scuttle back to the stout safe lighthouse and light some candles and the fire and read for a bit and then perhaps unpack that picnic hamper of goodies that I would have remembered to have packed and then who knows, maybe a snooze, maybe a glass of wine...Instead, of course, I'll stand in the garden and listen to the wind in the trees and pretend.

wash day

painting by Anji Allen

Oh my goodness the rain has been something shocking - it was dark and grey when we woke up and it rained solidly all day. This would normally be absolutely fine (it is Ireland after all) but my tumble drier has broken and drying anything outdoors is really a non-runner at this time of year. So the stoves were lit and the house ended up swathed in laundry in various stages of drying. I think Anji Allen's painting of sheets and towels and kettles and teacups sums up 'wash day' here very nicely!

autumn

Collecting apples at twilight by Cathy Cullis

Hello weekend!! Oh I'm excited for the next few days! It feels very autumnal here with the chilly wind and the evenings have become darker, but hopefully it will be perfect for an autumn picnic that we're planning. We're hoping to go to either Springhill or to The Argory for the autumn bookfair and a spot of blackberrying or perhaps to the apple orchards at Ardress. Whichever one we get to it will be with a picnic and flask for tea. I do love a simple picnic - bread, cheese, chutney, sometimes soup and apples or grapes as well as cake...I've just made a carrot cake but I think a fruit cake is in order too...and for the non-cake eaters we always bring chocolate...

autumn song by Cathy Cullis

Aren't these embroidered artworks by Cathy Cullis just beautiful? These are so mysterious and atmospheric ~ perfect for misty autumn in all its bounty. You can buy her work here

bladderwrack

Oh the pull of the sea and its swishing tides and clacking pebbles and wind in the sails and smell of chugging diesel engines and maybe, if you were lucky, fish and chips with the calling of seagulls and the wet slop of bladderwrack. To the sea we must go.

Wonderful linocut seascapes and more to be found on artist Melvyn Evans' website

things you must know

Things you must know about me:

1) weakness for chocolate. A sure fire way to get you out of trouble is to lay chocolate at my feet as a peace offering/a general no-strings-attached gift.

2) weakness for books. Only nice books need apply. For all other books I'm afraid we have no vacancies at the moment but may we wish you all the best in your job hunt.

3) weakness for art. An especially strong weakness (?) for linocuts. Hence the above now being in my hands, waiting to be framed and hung.

4) weakness of the bladder....nah, only kidding, my bladder's good.

Do yourself a favour and visit Jo's shop here for lots of quirky finds including this Two Houses print, which is in a limited edition of 20. 

golden clouds

falling leaves

autumn light

confetti leaves

Oh no! A new thing to fall in love with! These gorgeous beaten brass hanging mobiles are the work of Japanese metalsmith Kanehen, and were commissioned by the ever fabulous The Shop Floor Project. The names of the pieces are so evocative ~ summer clouds, falling leaves, confetti leaves, cloud pruning, autumn light, stones, water....I can just imagine them twisting and catching the sunlight...so lovely!

'From her studio in rural Japan, Kanehen hand-beats brass, nickel and copper into functional and beautiful everyday utensils, sculptural button and stunning mobiles - the latter inspired by cloud formations and falling leaves. This is the first time the artist’s work has been shown outside of Japan.' 

The Shop Floor Project

stones

water II

And after all that ethereal beauty there's also practical, household pieces ~ copper spoons, salt dishes, scoops, buttons, cake slices. View the collection here. What a wonderful gift they would make!

the best of things

Oh my. Love, love, LOVE the handpainted ceramics of Georgina Warne. Just look at that swallow backed ewe and the butterfly covered hare. These are truly beautiful pieces of art and Georgina's work is influenced by nature writers like Robert Macfarlane, Roger Deakin and Richard Mabey- writers much admired in this house.  I love pottery and ceramics in all forms, perhaps because they translate so easily into daily life. Having a favourite hand-thrown cup or bowl or plate is something that brings pleasure with every use. And I can't imagine the pleasure that would come from having one of Georgina's wonderful ceramics to gaze at **sigh**

My Pinterest page here has lots more favourite pottery and ceramics if you'd like to take a look and go to Georgina's website for more of her ceramics, drawings and prints.

half light

'abandoned'

'towards the light'

'harbour series'

'home series'

Oh I do like the paintings of Maeve McCarthy. That murky half light, the starry skies and atmospheric gloomth that comes with encroaching darkness or that pre-dawn time, early morning, when a street light or lamp light, however hazy, is most welcome. Her work reminds me of those quiet night hours spent sleepily feeding the baby when you would honestly think not another soul was awake and then a car would drive slowly past, its headlights casting light and shadow momentarily and you would find comfort knowing that someone else was there in the world, sharing that same mysterious time.

See more of Maeve's work here

on love

illustration by Phoebe Wahl

May your weekend be filled with people and things you love - have a gentle St. Valentine's Day!

spring colour

It's snowing here and we could really do with some Spring time colour! The snowdrops are just about to make an appearance and the crocuses and irises are trying hard too. But in the meantime what about these gorgeous woodblock prints by Matt Underwood. They are lovely- I think the primroses are especially cheering.

go to Matt's Folksy page to see more

happy weekend

House at Night, collage by Tirzah Garwood

Oh my goodness, I wish I had the energy and the focus to write something meaningful but I am tired and frankly, uninspired. This week has passed in a flash, the usual scurry of school and work, meetings, activities and anxiety (mine). So I'm simply going to wish you a happy weekend with this lovely collage by Tirzah Garwood. I love the night sky, the lit windows, the lacy curtains, the straight path, the symmetry and the fact that it looks friendly, comfortable and safe.

winter time

It's winter. Time to snuggle up in something woolly...

...grind the beans and make the coffee...

...make something yummy for dinner...

...and keep warm by walking the dog. Or the penguin...

Fabulous drawings by Japanese artist Yusuke Yonezu and thanks to the Jealous Creator for leading the way.

town and country

Oh, November you can be a little dull and frankly my dear, a touch dreary. You don't have the golden leaves of October nor the sparkling promise of December. But fear not November, you do have the wonderful Emily Sutton's 'Town and Country' in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park right bang smack in the middle of this month.

happy weekend

A city garden by James McIntosh Patrick

We are here again, Friday. The weekend stretches out like a lazy cat, all as yet unspent, all to look forward to. And we have the added pleasure of Hallowe'en break from school. As these mornings darken and it's so much harder to wake and get out of bed and get the day started, it will be nice to have a few days where there is no pressure and if another half hour slumbering is needed, then so be it. Yes, October days are shortening and darkening, leading us to winter and the need to nestle in. I'm nothing like the busy artist's wife with her laundry drying on leafless trees- she's making good use of her autumn days! I do like the light in this painting, exactly right for this time of year. Happy weekend!

This weekend I'd like to make these cupcakes, read more of The Little Friend and try this recipe from the always delicious Green Kitchen Stories

homing instinct

I love where we live and would be hard pressed to leave but there's something about artist Stacey Durand's painted houses and their odd angles which are attractive.