Now that the gardening season is drawing to a close I will be concentrating more on other things that go on in my life as a way of keeping the blog going over winter. This is a little peek into what is going on in my world this week.
I am reading …
The Book of Idle Pleasures
It is about throwing off the shackles of modern life and embracing the pleasure of little things – to enjoy ourselves and indulge our inbuilt love of nature and sensuality and conviviality without breaking our backs or the bank. Using the old idea of making our own fun, using our creativity and imagination rather than paying someone else to do it for us – simple things, the bare necessities – things that cost nothing. Idle pleasures help to side step the commotion of a work-hard, shop-hard world and enter a world of joy and freedom. Written by Dan Kiernan and Tom Hodgkinson of The Idler.
I am watching …
In the aftermath of his father's death an artist (Ewan McGregor) meets and falls in love with a young woman (Melanie Laurent). The story proceeds through the first weeks of this relationship with flashbacks on memories of the artist's childhood and of his father's last days. The flashbacks help us understand why McGregor's character is having such a hard time building a relationship with someone who for many people would be a dream woman: McGregor's father, played beautifully by Christopher Plummer, was gay, who only came out after his wife died. McGregor's character frets constantly that all his relationships will become as passionless as his parent's and so, little by little, has sabotaged them.
Arthur
This is a quirky film and one of my favourites, especially because of Arthur the dog, who builds a telepathic relationship with McGregor – the sound track is good too, with Hoagy Carmichael, Jelly Roll Morton and Josephine Baker. Highly recommended if you like your films a little left-field – oh and it is based loosely on a true story.
I am taking photos …
of the last few flowers in the garden that are hanging on through colder weather and rain that never seems to stop. Bulbs are pushing through and I still have a tree full of apples.
One of my favourite things …
art pottery – picked up for a couple of pounds in a charity shop – I love the handmade feel about it – the colours – and how the centre is a little off skew and the abstract squiggle in the middle looks like a red pepper cut in half.
I am perusing …
the Gudren Sjoden catalogue here for Scandi ideas for Christmas
I am thinking …
that I really need to lose a few pounds after I weighed myself this morning.
I am thankful …
that I am not one of the cows in the back field who are huddling in the hedgerow trying to keep dry.
In the kitchen …
I am enjoying making
Gypsy soup from The Yellow House see here for recipe
A favourite quote
A peek into my week. Hope you enjoyed it.
Looks like you are having a very good week. I like the book that you are reading. Now that I am not working, everone asks me what am doing with my time. I seem to fill my days. Today I tutor univeristy students at the university where I taught and and tutored in the English Department's Writing Center. I have an afgahan that I am working on, and I am reading Diana Gabaldon's Voyager, 3rd in her Outlander Series about an American time traveler and a Scot. Then there is houswork and tending to the animals as hubby is away working corn harvest. Yes, we do need to make our enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI agree we need to make time in our day just to be ourselves for a little while.
DeleteLove all of these peeks from your week! That soup looks super yummy! Have a super weekend, Elaine :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith.
DeleteDear Elaine - loved this peek into your week. Sounds like a good read, an interesting movie and oh those beautiful flowers that are hanging on. Makes me want to come visit - all that remains here is a few snap dragons. Checked out that soup and it sounds delicious. Adding this to a list of recipes to try. Hope you stay warm and have a wonderful week-end.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy trying the soup - I made some lentil soup today another one of my favourites. Last Sunday was beautiful this Sunday has been awful, non-stop drizzle a foggy - yuk!
DeleteFulfilling pleasures, that's the key isn't it? Your post speaks of that in volumes. I have made a note of the Dvd and will look out for it in the chazzas. I finally found the Bridges of Madison County Dvd this week after many moons of looking. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteJean
x
I get most of my books and dvd's from charity shops and nearly always find what I am looking for if I look hard enough.
DeleteWhat lovely fabrics the Gudren Sjoden clothes are made of. I can feel my credit card twitching gently.
ReplyDeleteI have a top/overshirt from her and love the quality.
DeleteI like the sound of the film, must look out for it. I'm just about to leave the computer and look at today's crossword:)
ReplyDeleteIt is one of my favourites - although I must admit it might not suit everyone's taste.
DeleteYour week sounds perfect, and has all the elements I enjoy too. I loved these pics, especially of Idle Pleasures which sounds a perfect Autumn read, and as for Arthur, I want to see that, it sounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteYour art pottery dish is just gorgeous and I lost time browsing Guddren Sjoden....what an array of heavenly things! And as for that soup....salivating I am....also lost time on that site! Marvelous post!xxx
The Idle Pleasures book is a bit of whimsy - but most enjoyable - the sort of book you dip in and out of. Thanks Snowbird.
DeleteThe last of the blooms here perished in the storm of the last couple of days, so it's all looking a bit dismal outside. Definitely time to cosy up indoors. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot to see here wither but some things are hanging on way past when they should be. Enjoy your week too.
DeleteThat sounds like a lovely week, and I've fallen in love with Arthur!
ReplyDeleteArthur is adorable - he thinks he's human.
DeleteI so enjoyed this peek into your week! That soup looks amazing! And ha!! I have a few to drop before the holiday parties begin as well!! I need to read that book! It sounds like a fantastic read as does that movie the Beginners!
ReplyDeleteSo much beauty all around friend! Wishing you an outstanding weekend! Nicole xo
Thanks Nicole. The book is full of simple pleasures - like standing on a bridge and watching the water flow or leaning on a farm gate or lying on the grass looking at cloud formations.
DeleteWell that was a lot more interesting week than mine. I've been elbow deep in plaster, up ladders, and swearing a lot.
ReplyDeletePoor you.
DeleteYes I did Elaine, lovely to see how your pass your hours, days during the colder months.
ReplyDeleteSoup looks delicious....something I will be trying for sure.
I still have blooms in the garden.....salvia hot lips is still in full bloom, amazing. The rain is relentless isn't it?
I cannot clear leaves etc because the garden is now a swamp :)
Love your finds.........
Have a wonderful weekend.
We are getting more than our fair share of rain here too - if I didn't have some indoor diversions I would go mad. Hope your week goes well. (I'll be thinking of you and Mr P on Tuesday - good luck).
DeleteWhat a lovely week you've had, and I shall keep an eye out for that dvd. If those beautiful tootsies are yours on the scales then I am most envious! I'm also trying to loose a few pounds before the feasting to come and am doing the 11 - 7 regime. The idea being that your body repairs itself between the hours of 7 in the evening after which time you eat nothing until 11 the following day. 2lbs down so far with more to go!
ReplyDeleteNo sadly they are not my feet - if only. I like the idea of not eating between 11 - 7 gave it a try today - I like the idea of slow but sure.
DeleteI think a pause in the gardening year is a good thing and so am glad that our climate is seasonal as like you it gives me time to do other things like reading, jigsaws, decorating (yes I do love decorating - this year my sisters). Winter also gives different opportunity for photography, Pity that - as far as I am concerned - they start foisting that day of celebration at the end of December on us early in November. Two months of forced jollity . Just call me Scrooge and take the jingles elsewhere!
ReplyDeleteSorry didn't start this meaning to rant so I'll pop back into my bunker with my book,
I try to ignore everything to do with the 'C' word till much later - it gets earlier and earlier each year and I refuse to be drawn in till I'm ready.
DeleteA most enjoyable peek, showing us that you've got plenty to do besides gardening. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI'd rather be outside but in winter there's not much point - and gardening in the mud and wet isn't my idea of fun.
Delete….. and, what a lovely week it was, full of lovely and enjoyable pleasures Elaine.
ReplyDeleteThe book and film sound right up my alley and the soup, yummy …. I LOVE soup.
….. and, I looked out into the garden this morning and saw that there are flowers on the forsythia !!!!! XXXX
The mild weather has the garden going crazy all sorts of things are flowering that shouldn't be.
DeleteOh my
ReplyDeleteI started computer and found a comment
of one so interesting and a reminder of this one.
From her
I found you
and again
a lot in common
and I could probably be your mother :)
I will be visiting again
and reading about your life..
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.
DeleteLovely post Elaine, thanks for sharing. Such a good idea. P x
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia.
DeleteIt was a lovely peek into your week! Thank you for taking us along. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy.
DeleteNice and relaxing week. Beginners is an enjoyable movie to watch. Thank you for that Gypsy soup (love the name!) recipe. It's on my menu in the next couple of days.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy the soup as much as I did.
DeleteI'm loving that book cover
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the book although I think I enjoy idleness a little too much. I'm trying to think of a description of the idleness it portrays. active? thoughtful? contemplative? Not sure. I must watch the movie, I've heard so many good reviews and E.M is one of my favourite actors.
ReplyDeleteI must admit to erring on the idle side too - idle sounds better than lazy. I think the book cover suggests using your down time to do something that you enjoy - an idle pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, The peek into your week made me smile enjoying things that I would love to do too. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah.
DeleteHi, your 'peek of your week' gave me a fine impression of your interests. And I loved your empathetic remark on Mise's blog - and thought: Have a look.
ReplyDeleteYes: as the garden season is ending now it becomes a bit difficult to write about that subject (my garden-blog 'Gardening in High Heels' is a bit neglected since I turned from a big garden in a small city to a balcony in Berlin). Photos: yes - a lot - best in combination with poetry as in my blog 'Happiness of the Day".
So, I will follow you! (And if you want to peep into my everyday life, you are invited to 'Dear You (Joy of Living) on berlinletters.
Thanks for coming over for a visit Brigitta - I will certainly have a look at your site.
DeleteI have just found your place here. .. and I am finding it quite nice and interesting :)
ReplyDeletehave a nice week!
Llusia xx
Thanks for visiting Lluisa
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