The robin

She could see the tops of trees above the wall, and when she stood still she saw a bird with a bright red breast sitting on the topmost branch of one of them, and suddenly he burst into his winter song - almost as if he had caught sight of her and was calling to her.

She stopped and listened to him, and somehow his cheerful, friendly littlle whistle gave her a pleased feeling - even a disagreeable little girl may be lonely, and the big closed house and big bare moor and big bare gardens made this one feel as if there was no one left in the world but herself. If she had been an affectionate child, who had been used to being loved, she would have broken her heart, but even though she was "Mistress Mary quite contrary"she was desolate, and the bright - breasted little bird brought a look into her sour face which was almost a smile. She listened to him until he flew away.

........."There were trees there - I saw the tops of them. A bird with a red breast was sitting in one of them, and he sang."

To her surprise the surly old weather-beaten face actually changed it's expression. A slow smile spread over it and the gardener looked quite different. It made her think that it was curious how much nicer a person looked when he smiled. She had not thought of it before.

He turned about to the orchard side of his garden began to whistle - a low soft, whistle. She could not understand how such a surly man could make such a coaxing sound.

Almost the next moment a wonderful thing happened. She heard a soft little rushing flight through the air - and it was the little bird with the red breast flying to them, and he actually alighted on the big clod of earth quite near to the gardener's foot.

"Here he is," chuckled the old man, and then he spoke to the bird as if he were speaking to a child.

"Where hast thou been, tha cheeky little beggar?" he said."I've not seen tha before today. Has tha begun tha courtin' this early season? Tha'rt too for'ard."

The bird put his tiny head on one side and looked up at him with his soft bright eye, which was like a black dew drop. He seemed quite familiar and not the least afraid.............

"Will he always come when you call him?" she asked in almost a whisper.

"Aye, that he will, I've known him ever since he were a fledgling..............."

" What kind of a bird is he?" Mary asked.

"Doesn't tha know? He's a robin redbreast, an' they're the friendliest curiousest birds alive.........."

Extract from THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett

When I was a little girl, Magpie would read this to me, and I always wanted to hear about the robin, over and over again.

I have loved robins ever since and we have one who frequents our garden regularly, he even obliges me by perching on the handle of my spade, just as I am losing hope that he will come nearer, he does. (Incidentally, I always garden in this outfit!)

Such an iconic winter bird, I have learned to recognise their song too, very pretty and even when I am in deepest thought it seems to reach my sub-conscious, forcing me to break from my reverie and look out of the window to see him.

I am also fond of this Robin too! But that's a whole different story for another day.

The Christmas Toast catalogue has landed, and look who is starring in it!

And if you reading Mr.Lane, yes please I should love one of these fabric covered note-books!

Oh and I love that wallpaper.

Now to sit here and read THE SECRET GARDEN again from start to finnish,

perfect..........

just pop my slippers on

Robins are the Gardeners' best friend x

Rosy and cosy with a dash of mustard!

I am loving the sweet simple comfort of home.................. as we batten down the hatches here and brace ourselves for those much forcasted gales!

I am currently obsessing about the warmth of soft rosy hued pinks, dusky pinks and mauves with a little dash of mustard or eggy yellow.....divine.

Although warm pinks and mauves can take quite a few similar toned colours and still sing, I love that.

I love the huge papaver poppies in this painting by Walter J West (1860-1933) , gorgeous sumptious flower heads with dark splotches as though someone had spilt ink in the centre.

And who wouldn't lust after this wonderful wallpaper adorned with oversized
roses, see what a mean about that hint of mustard with the pink, just lovely.

Hmm, and then you know all about my Gypsy caravan wistfulness.............. this is from the cover of the Kew Autumn Winter brochure and I must confess that I have sucumbed to the outfit on the left! I, unfortunately, am not able to stand in front of this wonderfully painted caravan when I wear it!

So tonight I will be lighting the candles and enjoying the warm glow they cast whilst rearranging cushions and cosying the place up.

Speaking of candles here are some Birthday candles.................

Two of the best, brightest, most beautiful and dearest people in my life are celebrating their Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Girls!

Yes, Scorpions both! another reason for my title "...with a dash of mustard" as we all know about the sting in the tail! (Only kidding!)

Mrs. Faraway, a slice of Nanny's Victoria sponge for you as I know you don't really like cake x

(she made it especially, another scorpio too!)

Hydrangeas for you both as we all love them from the garden in Cornwall.

And for you my Ludo a whole cake!

we both know we could do this at one sitting! x

What's that? It's your Birthday too! Oh goody, pull up a pew and we'll open the bubbly, pink of course...............Happy Birthday x

Fruits and berries

Rose-hips, sloes, haws, chestnuts, acorns, holly berries, and of course crab apples................. ........those amazing red cherry like crab apples outside the kitchen window. (Malus Robusta)

Sorry, they do seem to featuring a lot lately, but I cant take my eyes off them! And nor can the birds! Although they are terribly bitter and the birds leave them tuntil last, every other berry is stripped from the hedgerows before they will take my crab apples! They last well into January and so my Christmas Cherry Tree is preserved for the festivities!

Calm and deep peace, on this high wold;

And on these dews that drench the furze

And all the silver gossamers

That twinkle into green and gold.

Calm and still light on yon great plain

That sweeps with all it's autumn bowers

Tennyson

This pathway is strewn with naturalised cyclamen and leaf fall, it just so beautiful, the contast is amazing between the coppery damp leaves and the prim lilac feathers of the cyclamen.

Anyway, lets get back to the start.

Berries, fruit simply everywhere I turn, so abundant is this season of "Mellow Fruitfulness". ( My nod to Mr.Keats, for whom my heart is full having seen Bright Star at the weekend!)

I love red in all its shades and inacrnations!

I think I have mentioned that before too!

But there is always room for Damson blue.

I really enjoy the changing of wardrobe that accompanies this time of year. Carried away by the romance of Cabbages and Roses Autumn Winter collection.....

Please may I have that coat?

For Charlotte from Cottontails an autumn posy

I am thinking of the fairy rings appearing in the woods at the moment. Strange perfect circles of toadstools appear overnight, magical.

I think I will have a go at making this autumnal wreath in honour of them

Hope you are having a fruitful week x

Lacework

A box of lace has arrived

A box of lace from my M.I.L

A box of lace which she inherited from "Gan"

A box of wonderful family history, stored and treasured from one generation to the next and now it is Down the Lane.

"I must wash and iron and preserve this wonderful gift......"

This was just the first batch!

As you can see I became rather obsessed by the lovliness of it floating in the breeze!

One particularly large piece has ended up adorning the landing window.

And as a result I am adoring the landing window!

So I got to thinking about lace and all the forms it takes.

LACE: A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern. Also called la

cework

but that's not it at all, I thought.

Lace is the opera of sewing, it is the prima ballerina of threadwork and it has been fashioned with such precision and beauty by women over many centuries and in every culture.

Then I thought wouldn't it be pretty to add some colour?

and sure enough a little trawling on the tintrenet

Of course lace isn't simply man-made.

Some of the finest lacework exists all around us in nature

Looking skyward through spring blossom

Discovering an impromptu seat for a little bottom to perch upon!

Oh and trailing, umbrella like blooms

and remember outside Cottage Industry in Fitzroy, Melbourne the amazing tree festooned with crochet doilies? Makes me smile to think of it.

Which brings me to Lacework Australian style

The houses are decorated with Victorian Lacework
Makes me think of those faraways...........

I would love to hear about your favourite piece of lace

Ooh and by the way I also wanted to tell you all about a lovely giveaway happening over at cottontails

Charlotte is offering these lovely Maileg goodies so hop over and join in if you can.

Last, but by no means least I wanted to wish all my wonderful friends the very best at the

Vintage and Handmade Chritmas Fair

The Fair is on 14th November in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall 10am -4pm

Do try and get there if you can as it will be chock full of the most wonderful vintage and handmade treasures you will find anywhere.

Good Luck to all the stall holders, I will sitting thinking enviously of you all x

Kind Hearts and Coronets

The kind hearts belong to Koralee and Viv,

And so do the Coronets as I crown them both the lovliest girls!

This little stocking is for you both from Down the Lane where you are much appreciated xIn spite of the rather eratic postal service we are experiencing here in Blighty at the moment, two rather amazing letters popped through the letter-box this week.
Lovely Koralee from Bluebird notes sent me this gorgeous be-ribboned, be-buttoned "Bluebird Note" all the way from Canada. Oh I just love those stamps.

Gorgeous ivory button too!

Just look at the treasure inside! Lots of lovely Birdie inspired things as you would expect and beautiful words from Koralee. I am still smiling with delight just thinking about it again!

Thank you so much lovely x

Now you might think that would be enough lovely post for any girl but no! There's more...Beautiful Viv from Hens Teeth staggered me by sending not one but two of her divine collaged Christmas cards, Oh joy!

I wish you could see these in the flesh they really are divine, the colours are heavenly vintage pinks, rose, green and blue.

I just adore this touch with a little twinkle of Santa's eye!

I them had a brainwave!

I found this vintage Selfridges Paper bag and have been toying with cutting it up and collaging with it when I thought, what if......

Viv's cards would look lovely with this as a backdrop!

You like?

I think I like them so much I might mount and frame them and keep them forever!They will become part of the Annual Christmas decorating extravaganza here Down the Lane.

You girls are the best!

Thank you for these treasures I’ll always think of you with a glad and grateful heart x

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes......................

Trick or Treat?

I love Margaret Tempest illustrations, this is "the witch's house"

Scary!


This was the Witch's garden at Hampton Court Flower Show

And this is absoloutely The Scariest Witch of all time!

I went with the Magpie to see Snow White when I was very small and this image kept me awake at night for a long time afterwards.


Enough of all that frightening stuff!

Do you fancy a treat?



If you would like a toffee apple festival head over to Bluebird Notes where Koralee has prepared some yummy gooey toffee apples and some other sparkly sweet treats.


Or call in at the Vintage Magpie and see Nicky's latest beautiful creation, Rufus


What about a sparkly Christmas teaser? Head over to Sweden and meet Malin at her beautiful
White Christmas blog just in time for her giveaway, entry ends today!

Or you can help Wendy at Ticking Stripes celebrate her 50th follower with a giveaway too!




"Like elves and fairies in a ring,
Enchanting all that you put in "


Happy Halloween x

What's the story Autumn Glory?

I dont know about you but Autumn always seems the most magical of seasons to me. It prompts a story telling, fairy tale response from me. (Probably something to do with the Arthur Rackham pictures I had on my walls as a child.) The crab apples decorating the tree outside my kitchen window are very Snow White.....................

...............and so like the apple trees on my Bunnykins plates.

I love the promise of the new day as I poke my nose out of the door, Mr.Boodle sniffs the air and squeals expectantly at the iminent prospect of a walk.

So we cross the field and ford the stream

And find ourselves amongst the grassy tips dripping with twinkling spiders webs and crystal dew drops shimmering in the misty light. The tip of every blade has a perfect dew drop suspended.

I am sure if we looked a little harder we would see the shadows of the fairies darting away on hearing us approach.

" Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Lets go..................."

Avenues of trees with the low Autumn sun sun rising, Little Red Riding Hood may have just passed by on her way to Granny's house.

Always remember to look up! I have to remind myself of this as I could easily miss Mrs.Pepperpot hurrying home!

Careful, not to trip over tree stumps! The old man of the woods will stir.....

Home again!

Now these lovely cherry like apples are for Wendy over at Wendy House.

Thank you Wendy for my award, I love it.

Have a look at Wendy-House if you can it is full of lovliness.

In the meantime I would love to hear about your favourite Fairy Tales....

And for those who were wondering, you will be pleased to know that we all lived happily ever after our walk!

x