Christmas Shopping?

Still?  Or just getting started?

Can I offer some help?

I know I haven't been the most conspicuously Christmassy blogger this year.

Maker's Atelier

I do apologize.  With a quite ill kitty, a brand-new kitty, and a jealous neglected Princess kitty

all at home requiring little pieces of Mommy, the holidays have not been at the top of the list.

Thank goodness no Advent Calendar and cookie baking required for kitties.....

Cloth House

and I am able to share these bits from my London and "Country Living Spring Fair" adventures of

hokolo

earlier this year.  I did promise to give you these details then, didn't I?

Here were some of my favorites.  The lampshades below are on sale if you have a special

someone in mind.  And for the gardener in your family...if you're in the U.K.?

Jekka's Herbetum

Something ALIVE is never wrong.

I did think these shoes were beautiful and sturdy and they sell colors you 

itsgotsole.com

might never find in your neighborhood.

And speaking of not being from the neighborhood.....but also BEE-YOU-TI-FULL!

Remember this dress?

Mirella Bratova

She does have a shop in Totnes, Devon.

Classic English decorative textiles - like in the William Morris tradition?

Remember, Mr. Morris said, "Do not have anything in your home that you do not love"

Or something like that, that I could agree with - since I soooo love these pink and blue chairs.

Maison Claire

For the Edwardian nostalgique in your life.......

Yes, I mean hats and lace collars and marcasite and jet beads.....and feathers!

Remember these darling sweaters?

More Liberty prints for those hopelessly besotted like moi-meme.

Contact: margaret@linenlawn.com - (the website seems to be down)

Plaids and checks

ScotlandShop.com to give your loved one that windblown, heathery Christmas allure that makes people think that he or she has spent Christmas in Balmoral with the Queen!  (And Kate, or course.)

So, you know.....I think these all would make quite unique pressies for the ones you love.  Please also don't forget to check out my blogroll for Suzanne at Sakura Snow and Debi Van Zyl and Svea at Swig who have gorgeous cards and upcycled/knitted/witty-felted beasties in their shops for the holiday season.

Enjoy your shopping!  I'll be thinking of you!  HO HO HO!!!

Crystal Cove, Part Two - If You Like Edward Hopper, You Might Like This

Ummmmm I don't want to "talk" too much

during this post.

Just to explain that once upon a time, any old body could come to Crystal Cove

and build a beach house with their buddies.

Now those have been condemned.  And the Beach has become a state park.

(Had to include the requisite cliche sunset - which does not in any way diminish the glory of this particular sunset)

It is still possible to rent newer, "safer" beach houses.  Mr. Paradis has said "YES!"

(But nothing is booked yet.)

YOU could book one here.

But just don't bring all of your noisiest and inclined-to-be-the-carousing-types friends...

Please.  And don't tell ALL your friends.  Just your favorite, most deserving ones.

Because I want to keep Crystal Cove the lovely quiet place I got to know.

And you want to keep me happy, don't you?

Yes, thanks.  I do appreciate that.


HAVE  a HAPPY WEEKEND.   CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

Further Canal-Walking From Kings Cross - London Was Sunny One Day in September

How are the Xmas preparations going already?

I have to say that pulling these pictures out the archives seemed to be just the thing

to brighten my outlook after the very dark and painful month

for our world.

I can't say I'm very optimistic but life goes on doesn't it?  And so, here for you,  a little

something life-affirming from North-ish London on a sunny day, where the restaurants and greenery

were thriving.

Fashion Week was just beginning.  This was the set-up for the Jonathan Saunders show.

Rising behind the temporary structures, more apartments and penthouses for quite rich people.

It's the contrast of the old and the very new, the bustling and the very quiet (a new illustration museum has opened here)......that makes this area quite exciting these days.  Its proximity to two big train stations adds to the buzz.  And the sense of possibility in the air.

Mr. Paradis had to drag me away from the fountains.  He was afraid I'd get arrested for too enthusiastically photographing little children playing in the water.  What is more beautiful than little children playing in water?  But in the world we live in today, a stranger taking pictures of something that Cezanne might have titled "the Bathers" is a risky business.

Thoughtfully, another type of environment has been provided for the older demographic.....it seemed safe to capture them with my lens.....

And back in the universe of possibility.......

Could you be tempted by Hidden Depths of this sort?

And who might you find to join you

in such underwater exploration?

You were wondering what that blue bump was, weren't you?  I think it's a longboat in disguise.

If you've seen some of my other canal walk posts, you'll be reminded that on the canal

it's all about contrasts and opening vistas

clins d'oeil of the most individual kinds.....

quiet bucolic corners

and always, the watery life of the long boat - feline familiarity almost mandatory.

You will feel like you're right "in the middle of it" and equally, somewhere far, far away.

Here's how we located ourselves.  And then immediately got lost.  More on that next time..........