Mixing Things Up, Sorting Things Out

Once I get things looking nice, I tend to keep them just the same.  

I'm not one for shifting furniture and changing things for changings sake ... I used to be, much to my first husbands amusement (or maybe horror), he never knew where the wardrobe would be to hang his clothes after a hard day at work.

Here at the Van this goes for the mantlepiece too, save for the odd bunch of fresh flowers or new scented candle to burn atmospherically late in the evenings, once it is as I like it it usually stays pretty much the same.

I don't like clutter, but I do like 'pretties' if they are also useful, and nicely arranged pretty things are pleasing to the eye and relaxing.  Although, while the mantlepiece was completely clear and drying after a quick wipe down I did briefly appreciate the blank sparseness of the space I had temporarily created.

Last November the mantlepiece looked like this.   Fresh Aldi Daisies in the jug, a few candles burning and the obligatory dozing Pug in front of the glowing fire.  I hasten to add I wasn't cooking Suky I was merely enjoying the flickering light of the false flames.

A quick change around yesterday saw some things go and some being slightly repositioned. 

 The wooden boxes stay, the  larger bottom one contains my nightlights, candles and the matches to light them.  The smaller top one is an antique moneybox, and each time I lift the lid to put in or take out some coins I think of some unknown child in the past, pushing their spending money pennies into it, just as I did with my little metal version as I saved for holidays to this very caravan park many, many years ago.

The new candle jar waits for a fresh Summer evening when it's orange blossom scent will fill the Van, and the Kilner jar holds a tangle of battery operated fairy lights that add to the prettiness when the candles flicker.

For Sue

That the books are predominately white or cream started as a pleasant accident as I tried to make room for some cook books on the kitchen shelves and were added to by one from the bedroom to make the stack an eye pleasing height.

I'm happy with it for now and once I get back to the shops a small bunch of Spring-like flowers will be purchased for the jug, until then the fake Lavender moves from bedroom to living room as and when I feel the urge for floral decoration.

The plants will gradually make their way here from Wales as I go home to chicken-sit when Alan works away, but for now I am relieved of watering duties.

Of course the Pug comes and goes as she pleases, and this little puppy bed of hers has always been a favourite.  A hug for a Pug from the furry liner that snuggles against her as she dreams her days and evenings away.

It's a lazy snuggly life here at the van at the moment, not much to do, but lots of time to do it.

Sue xx