Author: sareenmclay

Books

International Book Giving Day!

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I moved a bookshelf this week only to discover each shelf had two layers of books! Quite a lot of books really!

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So the bookcase is moved but what to do with all these books?

You see, what if it’s a rainy day, like today and I need a wee comfort Cup of Tea book to read in between my new books?

Well, I just happened to read on the blog Story Snug that February the 14th is the day to share the love of books, it is International Book Giving Day. How lovely! I think this is one of those ‘namedays’ I could really get behind!

Now, I’m guessing this will be a great excuse to shop for new books but I think it could also be a great day to drop off a pile at the charity shop too and share this love of books. So it’s time to go through the book mountain again, I am sure there’s more I could give away.

I just need one or two boxes….

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Books · Inspiration

Books, books everywhere

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A book upstairs, a book downstairs, one in the door of the car, if I don’t have a book near to hand then I’ll feel a bit lost to be honest.

Talking to others, I know I’m not the only one like this and I recently read the lovely Books in my Handbag Blog and felt I was totally at home.

On my own site I have the Cup of Tea booklist with the books people said they’d return to again and again. In the Books in my Handbag blog, Jessie Cahalin has a ‘Reader Recommends’ page where she has asked for the titles of books which have fed your reading addiction.

I sent my books in, of course I could not stick to one as I have so many favourites but The Chalet School and Anne of Green Gables certainly stand out in my memory. thumb_IMG_8314_1024

Perhaps it was the strong, independent characters or maybe it was because they were part of a series.

It could have been the beginning of learning to love the writing of a particular author and searching for the other books they have written.

Taking the time to think back to which books inspired me was so enjoyable I thought I’d like to pass it on.

 

Do you have any books you’d add to the Books in my Handbag Blog or My Cup of Tea booklist? I’d love to know. 

 

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Inspiration · Nature

A butterfly moment

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thumb_IMG_8368_1024You see shoes. One in front of the other. Marching. Hands jammed in your pockets. Head bent towards the ground. Your view narrow, restricted. For all you can see the rest of the world may not exist.

 

You hear your breath grow steadily louder. Unconsciously your head rises centimetre by centimetre. There is the path leading into the distance.

 

The daily fog is clearing, your head turns, appreciating the trees, the leaves, the birdsong.

Then at last. A sigh escapes. It is here. The moment on every walk when your thoughts begin to soar. Your shoulders drop, your head lifts up and there is the sky in all its glory.

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This is the moment ideas fly freely, the answers to the questions of the day appear, and often seem so obvious, you wonder, why didn’t you think of that before?

Well, now is the time. That beautiful, butterfly moment, to capture, embrace, enjoy and breathe.

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Ballet

A Sprinkle of Fairy Dust

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I’m sure there were others but two lovely things happened to me last week.

The first was the absolute treat of going to see ‘The Nutcracker’ performed by Scottish Ballet in the beautiful HMT theatre in Aberdeen. thumb_IMG_8316_1024

This was one of those performances where everything worked together so well, the ballet, music, costumes, make-up, staging, lights and all the other hundred and one things that go into making a performance.

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The second was when I decided to tweet about it to say thank you and how much I enjoyed it.

Looking up  #Nutcracker, I saw the Principal Ballerina, Bethany Kingsley-Garner who danced the Sugar Plum Fairy had tweeted about how much she was looking forward to the performance.

Well I decided to retweet her tweet adding my thanks in the hope that it would be passed on to the rest of the team, front and backstage.thumb_IMG_8323_1024

To my delight she retweeted my tweet and so my message actually reached the Principal Ballerina and I was able to say thanks directly to her. (I’m hoping she passed it on!) This has made me smile all weekend!

 

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Flowers · Inspiration · swimming

Inspiration

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Another dull, dark, dreich day. It’s winter, after Christmas. I should be bouncing with New Year’s resolutions, fired up and ready to go.

Hmm. Well, easier said than done.

There is one resolution I make every year, to become fitter.

I know from past experience if I get into a routine of going swimming then I’ll be happier and fitter.

I have my bag packed at all times ready to go. The only thing stopping me? The thought of going out into the cold.

Recently I watched this very inspiring clip and now I think to myself, if this lady can go and swim in the sea (THE SEA!) then I can go and swim in a nice, warm pool.

I heard someone say they ‘never regret going for a run’. Well true enough, I never regret going for a swim.

As Dory says, ‘Just keep swimming’.

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Books · Flowers · Garden

The Hare and the Tortoise

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My favourite tale from our copy of Aesop’s Fables is The Hare and The Tortoise. 

I’ve always thought I identified with the tortoise, plodding along one step at a time.

So, this year I’ve decided to embrace the tortoise in me and hope to advance with new habits slowly.

Thinking about this I know not everything will be perfect.

I planted hyacinth bulbs back in September.thumb_IMG_7456_1024 to my delight they flowered, the single one producing the beautiful flower that I’m now using for my main photo.

 

The three in the pot were a bit leggy really but the scent was lovely. Definitely a win win!

 

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So  I’ll continue to plod on but I have realised recently that there is something of the hare in me – and no, it’s not the habit of having a nap! I can be speedy when needed, it’s just that I’ve learnt, like the tortoise, slow and steady helps me win my own race in my own way.

 

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