::Leonardo::

We went to see the most wonderful Leonardo Da Vinci
Exhibition today. And I marvelled at how beautifully
tailored it was, to the passions of my two little boys.
There was lots of turning of handles, whirring of wheels
and pondering at incredible inventions.
Before we returned home, to a flurry of constructing
and inventing, inspired by what we had seen.
For me it was an opportunity to see some of the incredible
expanse of Da Vinci's genius. To wonder at a man whose
work was so exquisite in both an artistic and scientific
way.
And I was left wondering if there was in fact
anything that Da Vinci didnt invent, 300 odd years
before it dawned on the rest of the world!
If you get the chance, do go and see it-exhibitions of
this quality, don't come round that often for children.

Pencils

I love the happy little indulgences that sneak into my

life at times....like finding a metal tin of drawing pencils

at the supermarket. Then how it rained the following

afternoon - which gave me the perfect opportunity to

do a bit of sketching.

Nothing ground breaking, just a few summery shells,

but so very enjoyable none the less.

And then I took a moment to reflect, upon how very lovely it

would be, if I ever got around to keeping a Nature Journal -

as I often dream of doing...... 2B or not 2B, that is the question!

(All rounded off with a little silliness.....which I was unable

to resist!!)

A little slice of heaven.....

Can you imagine.....
One sunny Sunday going on a painting expedition
and happening upon a whole grove of Magnolias?









The scent, the carpets of petals, the delicious light airy
blossoms, the soft mossy ground.........what a gift.

Can there ever be too many blossoms in Spring?
I think not. And to just pause and breathe in the
beauty and exuberance of this fresh growth, is such
food for the soul.

::Poppies in a vase::

Earlier in the week I invested in a small present
for myself. A little artistic perfection to put in a
vase.

I love it how poppies defy arrangement , but

gradually unfold in various perfections of composition.

A kind of work in progress, to watch as the week

continues. An artistic journey of sorts.

I love how they unfurl themselves, in all their crumpled

papery-ness. So somehow disheveled and new, yet so very

perfect at the same time. I find myself developing a favourite,

whose progress I watch. The salmon-y cream flower, which

reminds me of an Edwardian lady in layers of delicate, frilly

cotton.



And sometimes how they look like a watercolour

in progress, and I can almost feel the colours running

together in a watery blur of oranges and yellows.

Till it occurs to me that a spot of painting

would do me such a lot of good....and so I

keep myself entertained through a quite

average week, with thoughts of how I

would paint these poppies.....

::Winkie::

There is something unquestionably book-ish
about winter. So let me share a bit of vintage
goodness with you. A little winter-ish treat.

Let me introduce you to Winkie.......



Published in 1949 and belonging to my
mum when she was a little girl, it is the
tale of a little squirrel called Winkie.



A baby squirrel, who is rescued and carried
home in the pocket of some one's raincoat. Where
he is duly fed, raised and soon up to all sorts of
mischief!



I love the richness of the watercolours and the lovely
post war domestic details. Here he is teasing Bessie the maid.
"In a flash he leaped on to the top of the door and crouched
ready to spring on her...."



And more than anything else I want to
be on one of those deck chairs on the lawn,
as the the "tea wagon" is brought into
the garden at four o'clock!



"It was crowded with good things to eat;
bread and butter, scones, a plate full
of exciting little cakes and right in the
centre was a large fruit cake. So he lightly
jumped upon it and helped himself-by
eating a hole right into the middle...!"



And all this before he hibernates for the
winter, then returns next spring~with
his wife.

Its such a beautiful book and somehow
in all its domesticity, fits with the
the adult books I have been reading
of late. Enjoy!

"Winkie the Grey Squirrel"
by Albra Pratten, Illustrated by
Ralph S.Thompson, Oxford University
Press, 1949.

Library love....

To say that I go to the library often, would be an understatement.
I go often enough to know that sometimes, books don't seem to
leap out at me and I return with a couple of luke warm choices.
Where as at other times, I skip away with an above average
stash of books under my arm.

Sometimes this stash can be so good that it has the power to
chart my day- and possibly even my week, on a different course.
The other day was one of those lucky days!

I discovered as if by chance The Gentle Art of Domesticity
by Jane Brocket. Quite why, in blog land I hadn't stumbled upon
this before, I do not know. But what a wonderful treat it is!

I looked through it in wonder- it was almost as if it was written
specifically with me in mind! With a combination of so may things
that are dear to my heart. Knitting, sewing, cooking, reading
(Persephone books) vintage movies, history, art, poetry...

It is in a lot of ways, such a wonderful affirmation of home-making.
Almost a thinking woman's guide to domestic life. Full of beautiful
photos, recipes and various works of art, depicting domesticity.
I must say I wallowed in it! In fact I swooned over several quilts,
paintings and in particular this beautiful poem Winding Wool.

:: Something I'm loving just now ::

Watching my little boys unfold artistically in their own
unhurried time. Marvelling at what an incredible
manifestation of their own internal world it all is....
and just wanting to drink in all those yummy little
drawings.

And more than anything, wanting it to last, hoping that

in adult life, a corner of their being

will always find nourishment and stillness in art.