I fell in love . . . twice ! ! !

Hello dear friends & readers,

My trip to Mums went well except it was bitterly cold down there ...

Mt Taranaki Egmont was wearing her winter coat for the first time this year

Mum has purchased herself a new "family member" & I must confess I fell in love with this little sweetheart

Her name is Marley & she was found abandoned living under a school hall feeding her litter of kittens
(though she must've been just a kitten herself still)

Her kittens were rehomed & Marley was speyed ... Mum purchased her from the S.P.C.A. - she is 1 year old 

Her little nose looks like it has been outlined with eyeliner - she has the most adorable nature & is so gentle

Though my photos make her appear quite large, she is in fact, rather small & fine.  I bought her a soft ball .... she took it everywhere with her ... I don't think she had ever had a toy in her entire life.  

Though she will not have a greatly stimulating life at Mums, she will be very well cared for & fed & kept warm  :-)

I was lucky enough to be able to visit with my friend Claire on my way down to Mums ... this is always a treat for me.
We had a cuppa & a catch-up & Claire had made a citrus/coconut cake especially for my visit . . .

. . . it was soooo delicious.
I always tell Claire when I visit, if she doesn't feel like chatting too much, I am more than happy to just wander around her gorgeous home.
She is always an inspiration to me with her crafty makes & her decorating skills.
I clicked my way around her rooms & would love to share some of my photos with you 

Top right ... an small Easter table in the entrance
Bottom right ... new pillowcases freshly sewn by Claire

Top right ... Claires recent purchase, a very old Panda bear
bottom right ... gorgeous pastel low volume quilt made by Claire

low coffee table vignette in Claires lounge 

doiley torso on lounge wall - made by Claire
(although I tried really hard I did not manage to sneak this into the boot of my car unnoticed!)

small vignette in spare bedroom

The beautiful Easter display on Claires dining table

Another fairly recent purchase - an antique sampler cross-stitch
(Claire - if this ever goes missing ... it could very well be at my house!!!)

But I think the thing that captured my heart the most would have to be this beauty   . . .

A gorgeous standard lamp with a shade that Claire had decorated herself & added her unique touch to . . .

. . . just sitting in the corner of her lounge - L*O*V*E it 
Thanks so much for the visit Claire - just wish we lived closer
(So I could pinch borrow treasures from your house !!**!!) x x x

Although I was definately standing in the wrong queue when they handed out the "knitting gene" I still try to pick up my needles every now & again. 
Mum has always been the most beautiful knitter & it was always easier to just get her to do it for me

I found some dishcloth cotton/bamboo scraps in her wool basket & have just finished these 3 dishcloths. 
 I really like the double moss stitch pattern which is a freebie from here
I hope to make some more of these over winter - some to use myself, & others will be popped in with gifts for friends.

And upon my return home I find we have acquired a new "family member" ourselves ...  ???***!!!

Once again, found with her Mum & 4 siblings, abandoned & starving ... 2 kittens didn't survive but the other 3 + Mum were taken to the Vets, then the Animal Rescue Centre.
Whereupon it would appear The Mr bought her. 
 I have named her Pippi as in "Pippi Longstocking" - another pale ginger haired rascal, just like this one . . .

. . . really hard to photograph as she never sits still for a minute.
And so it would appear, I have fallen in love again ... twice in one week !!!! Goodness gracious me !!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today dear friends & readers,
May the rest of your week be filled with things that bring you joy,
with much love & friendship,
Julie, Blackie & Pippi Longstocking
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