Shiny Pretty Things

Today, while the house was too quiet and the were children in school and nursery, I played with my birthday presents. The sky was grey and the list of chores did not tempt me, so I unpacked all my treasures and had fun pottering, arranging and photographing them.

I know that love does not show itself through things, but isn't wonderful when someone who knows you well gives you something utterly perfect, so very you? Something that makes you grin when you unwrap it and hug the giver. John bought me a new cookery book that I'd dropped heavy hints about and then gave me an envelope containing a voucher for a belated birthday present of my choice in Copenhagen. Lovely boy. And do you see that little bird brooch above? I admired that in the Leeds City Art Gallery shop in May of last year while my friend Sam and I were choosing a leaving present for another friend, Debora. Sam remembered that I liked it and later went back to buy one for me but they had sold out. Never one to be defeated, Sam found out the name of the small, independent seller, rang her, found another stockist nearby, rang them, made them hold one for her, then went to buy it. All for a brooch, for me. 

So many nice things, such good family and friends; it's enough to make a girl feel quite blessed, and makes up for the fact that it's Monday, the holidays are over, spring still has not sprung and I still have not vacuumed the stairs or done the washing up.