Postcards from the weekend

There'll be no Midweek Miscellany next week because I'll be posting my Precious Things on Thursday, and as a rule I don't generally post two days in a row.

I do, however, enjoy putting a pick 'n' mix post together. And although I don't generally blog at the weekend sometimes it's nice to have a change. That, and it's been a good few days with plenty of photo-taking and little pleasures to be had.

Yesterday we did the usual fruit and vegetable shop at the market then Jay took the little one off in the car. I got to stay and linger all alone, free to roam and drift around the shops. No pushchair to lumber up and down steps and through doorways, no complaining or little hands reaching out to grab breakables. It was bliss.

To be able to slow down and actually look at things, to wander at will with nobody making demands. I think that you appreciate these little pockets of freedom all the more when they're a bit of a rarity.

I didn't buy much: a bar of rose and geranium glycerine soap from here (I do love geranium), and a vintage bottle with a stopper (a charity shop find) which was a snip and merely in need of a good wash. It will no doubt appear here once I can get some decent lighting. I think I'll be making a list of all the things I need to photograph indoors, then pouncing as soon as the sun comes out...

There was definitely a festive feel to the proceedings. Maybe it was the cold, the slight gloom or perhaps it was the pleasure of going in and out of those little independent shops looking for small treasures. So different to the shove-it-down-your-throat approach of the supermarkets and shopping centres. It may be early but when there's just a little hint of Christmas - well, that's fine with me.

I walked home up the long, long hill and looked out across the fields and woods. There's a double-fronted stone farmhouse which you view from the back and from an elevated position I always admire the garden: a washing line and bench and flowers, then a fence with a five-barred gate leading to the greenhouse and raised beds: the kitchen garden. It's my dream place.

Today we went out walking. Cold, damp but still wonderful. Fresh air and little details to notice. Joe watched the steam train and jumped in puddles, and befriended a little black Shetland pony. We see so many friendly equines around here, I really should buy a bag of pony treats next time I'm in town.

We came home to a lovely roast dinner (Joe still won't entertain cauliflower or broccoli) and now the light's fading and weekend's almost at an end. Why does it always go by so fast?

I hope you've had a good weekend. Enjoy these last few precious hours!