Ooh, my heart!
It is raining!
I am lounging on my bed, still in my nighty and robe because holidays.
KittyPuss is purring and giving me a gentle massage to get herself into an optimal position of comfort and warmth.
The rain is a steady drizzle.
On my left I can hear it through the open laundry window dropping down on the the tin roofed back verandah.
On my right it is giving my front garden a much needed drink.
It has been warm and dry around here lately, this weather is very welcome.
I did plan to mow the lawn today but I guess the universe is giving me a day of rest.
And what better to do on a cool, rainy day than wrap up in a home made crocheted blanket and fall into a book.
(Im even inspired to bake some treats but I've become quite opposed to cooking lately so we shall see how that goes.)
Do you remember a while back I mentioned I was making a list of the books I read this year?
Well last night I finished the last book I will read this year so thought I could share my list and some pics of my growing book collection.
So starting at my list, I definitely have an eclectic style.
The book that has stood out to me the most would be Victoria Spry's 'Tortured'.
That word is an understatement of her life.
My heart immediately attached to her.
I started reading her book in early October and often when I read a book based on true events I will google information and look up videos to put a face and voice to the story, which is what I did when I read Victoria's.
I was watching an interview of her, and thought her to be so down to earth, and lovely despite everything she had been through.
She seemed like someone I would like to be friends with.
I began reading the comment section of the interview and discovered some terrible news.
I googled it to confirm if it was true, and many news websites had announced it was.
Victoria had taken her life earlier in the month.
The timing really got to me.
At the end of her book i believed she was on her path to claiming her life and would be ok, but she was never able to escape her fear.
My heart goes out to her forever.
When I read a dark story I try to select a lighter book next, to balance out emotions.
There were a couple of books I got about halfway through and just could not bear to finish, and it took me a while to convince myself that I am allowed to not enjoy a book and I dont have to finish it.
I've had this bookcase for a few years now but it was so crammed with books I didn't even know what was hiding amongst it all!
I had to do something!
So this cube unit was bought, assembled, and filled instantly.
I had planned to use my original case for our board game collection but I have more books than I realised.
This is my dining room, the first thing you see when you step inside my little house.
I love the homely, family touches.
Everything has its story and meaning.
The tree stump is from my neighbours front yard, reminds me of them and is a conversation starter..
"Why do you have a tree stump in your house?"...
Why not?!
My boys heights are recorded on the giant ruler I made.
My dads picture hangs on top.
There are 2 very full shelves of books I have bought, from op shops mostly, that I am yet to read.
I love having the option of so many books to choose next to go on my bedside table.
Its like my own personal library.
With my adored books are bits and pieces that are extra special to me.
Things my boys have made at school, like this seal Son1 created.
And these by Son3.
He made the little echidna when he was in pre-primary - it did have toothpicks for spines but even at this age, the boys still male a mess of them so I removed them.
Son1 crafted this beautiful wooden spoon at school this year.
He is a very hands on person and despite his mind going 100mph, he applies himself to his creations.
I also love to collect things.
Little pieces of nature.
Butterfly wings, moths, dragonflies.. all lifeless when i find them.
I would not harm anything for the sake of collecting.
Feathers, flowers, amber, leaves...
The teeniest egg laid by one of my chickies.
I also adore bird's nests.
I have 4 or 5 that I've found on the ground in my walks.
Son2 made my day when he brought this one home from school for me!
He'd found it on the ground and thought of me.
He is such a sweet soul, and he knows his mama well.
When I was in high school I took woodwork classes (and loved it but had zero patience for sanding my work!), I made this little car that I have held onto for all these years.
Even letting my boys play with it when they were teeny toddlers, hence it looking a little scratched up.
Boof attended a different high school and also made a car!
He tried to make a truck but the design didn't work so he had to stick pieces back together.
I thought it was the coolest thing ever when Son1 (who attends the same high school as Boof) brought his home!
He sure put Boof and my skills to shame!
And Son2 made a truck!
He said he wanted it to look like the truck Boof drives so put on the exhausts and the turntable.
Clever kids I tells ya!
Boof broke his hand a few months ago and inspired by painting my friends belly cast, I demanded he give me his cast to paint.
Now Boof is a big boy, he is 6'4" and SOLID..
And is absolutely petrified of aliens!!
So of course, being the spiteful but hilarious girlfriend I am, painted him fishing in a boat with UFO's overhead, hehe.
He knows I love him.
Well I should get moving.
Im getting chilly, its a day for warm leggings and a baggy hoody, me thinks.
The boys are in the city spending time with their dad and Boof is at work so its just PoochGirl, KittyPuss and me.
Poochgirl hasn't been well lately and woke this morning in pain.
She rarely cries or whimpers but scared me awake this morning with a yelp.
She was very stiff and sore, i think because she spent the night on the floor beside me in bed.
Poor girl I getting on a bit and on several medications, I'm dreading the inevitable day we must part.
But she walked out her pains this morning, had lots of cuddles and is happily curled up in her own warm bed.
I wonder if the KittyPuss will be cranky if I move to get dressed.
She has snuggled herself in close to me where its warm, and I know she's comfy because she got her head upside down, hehe.
I love that she feel safe with me.
This pic is a few weeks old.
No photo today, she has lost her collar and is getting about rudie-nudie!
One last garden pic to leave you with.
This rain will be making my grapes very happy, and soon my belly will be very happy!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and keep safe in the new year.
*What are you reading at the moment?
**Do you have a favourite genre??
Toodles 🤍🤍🤍
