I was busy on the computer when the postman came. He pushed two of my magazine subscriptions through the letter box with a loud bang, waking the dogs and making me jump. I stopped what I was doing and started opening the post, just a couple of flyers, a letter and the magazines which were in their now eco friendly paper wrappers ... which are great until it rains hard and then the magazines inside get soggy!!
I could feel eyes on me and sure enough there she was, Mavis watching me from the sofa, sadly she knows Mum doesn't get any sausages through the letterbox so it's rarely worth a run up the length of the hall just to sniff out what has arrived. 😄
None of our dogs have ever been the sort to run up to the post when it arrives, and either rip it to shreds or bring it over to us, thank goodness really I guess. Mavis does usually do a perfunctory bark just to let the postman know that there is a very savage and dangerous dog in this particular house and he should beware ... but then she gives herself away when I have to open the door to him for any reason and she greets him instead with a very waggy tail and a look of utter admiration.
Inside the two magazines that came ... the Radio Times and Country Living ... there were all these special offer temptations.
I could save myself money off the National Trust and get a £10 gift card, we're already members so no need for any of that, there were vouchers offering money off kitchen supplies, money off flowers or food delivery box subscriptions, money off furniture and re-upholstering the furniture you already own.
I'm going to save myself SO much money ... I'm going to save a full 100% in fact ... as I'm not buying anything. Nothing at all, nada, nil, zilch. Into the recycling they all went, and I said a quiet prayer for all the trees that gave up their lives for the waste of paper that these offers are.
I made myself a coffee, and in the interest of using up some Vego chocolate spread that is just out of date I had some on a slice of hot toast. It's hard work this eating up of the cupboard supplies. 😉
Here are a couple of YouTube clip that I have enjoyed this week, this Cottage Fairy one really resonates with me, you'll see why.
And I've also been watching lots of Happy Pear videos for tasty food inspiration for the weeks to come. This spice blend idea really caught my attention, making these mixes up would simplify my spice drawer a bit!!
Hope you have a great weekend.
Sue xx
I've saved those clips to watch later - the first one looks particularly interesting, thanks.
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It is, she explains herself and her reasons for wanting this time alone in her life. So many people don't understand that you don't have to move straight from a family home and into a home with your boyfriend.
DeleteAnd further more as I am frequently telling people ... you don't have to understand other peoples lives, as long as they are happy and it suits them whatever they are doing and hurts no-one else it should be fine to live and let live.
I agree, what a waste of a tree as I am sure nearly all those flyers go straight in people's recycling bins, as they always do here.
ReplyDeleteAs for this month's Country Living, if I hadn't subscribed for 6 mths, it's not one I'd have bought off the shelf. Not very exciting this time.
Oh dear, I've not read it yet ... if I'm honest I have a bit of a backlog, I've yet to read January's edition!!
DeleteI have cancelled my subscription to Country Living, many reasons including it isn’t so relevant to me living in South West London, I found I wasn’t very interested in the articles, some of which were extracted from other books or publications, we are receiving so many magazines including Good Housekeeping, Saga, National Trust, Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Academy, a daily newspaper.
DeleteSince I moved from Manchester way back in 1984 I have always lived in places that fitted the vibe of Country Living and have bought it on and off over the years. Back in the day it was old copies from car-boot sales for 20p each that fed my addiction and in recent years I buy them on subscription usually just for one year at a time once every few years. I found that it can be very repetitive if you buy them year on year.
DeleteI am hooked on YouTube there is so much on there and you get to see dome remarkable people.
ReplyDeleteThere really are aren't there, and there are also lots just being 'Influencers' and trying to sell us something that they 'highly recommend and have used for months' with a special code of 10% off. Advertisers have really gone down the route of sending freebies to YouTubers for cheap adverts of their latest products. It's much cheaper and gets to more young and impressionable people than a old fashioned television adverts would. I'm quite picky about who I watch now, although some of them I do watch for the novelty factor.
DeleteI liked the gentle pace of her days. That being said, it really would not have been possible to do while I was working. I watched the video and realized that the quiet life she lives, in her own rhythm is something I can attempt.
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit of idealised life for sure, but perhaps one that we can all try to emulate in the slowing down of the pace of our days.
DeleteI do watch the Cottage Fairy posts occasionally - I'm also fascinated by a lot of the Korean and Japanese women who post - there is always something very calming about them - not really sure why.
ReplyDeleteI've also been using Youtube for some new recipe ideas - so many to choose from!
We are under a cold weather alert at the moment - with the windchill it is close to minus 30C out there at the moment so even though the sun is shining I'm going to have a day in the kitchen! Work is going to be busier next week so I want to be prepared.
Enjoy your magazines - I have a subscription to Canadian Living which was a Christmas gift and I always buy "Victoria" magazine - it comes out about every other month and it is an hour or so of real relaxation to sit and enjoy it - a real treat!
I used to love Victoria magazine, it's so very feminine and calming. I used to get copies passed on to me by a fellow antique shop owner, then once we had both read them she would sell them in her shop. They were very popular and gave us both ideas for setting out our displays.
DeleteI also follow the Cottage Fairy and enjoy her story. She is also a very talented artist and has a very kind heart and soul. I used to think all of the flyers were actually showing "sale" prices until I started watching the actual cost of things. You are so right they are just trying to influence you into buying specific things, not necessarily at a sale price and not necessarily something you really need. I shop mostly with Aldi now and place my order and have it delivered. 95% or more of my order is the same stuff from one time to the next. Yes, you pay for delivery, but there are not "extra surprise items" purchased either, so save in the long run. Ranee (MN) USA
ReplyDeleteI have a few of her art pieces they are very special, and her gift wrapping is amazing.
DeleteMavis sure is watching you! Does she get nervous when you go to the door, thinking that you may leave her for a bit? My two cats are like that and they can even tell if I'm getting ready to go out. I follow the Cottage Fairy too and really enjoy it. In fact you were the one that first introduced me to her some time ago! Her videos are always relaxing and enjoyable. I hope the remainder of your weekend is good and you are feeling well!
ReplyDeleteNo none of our animals get upset if we leave them, mostly I think because we have never sneaked out or disappeared unexpectedly. We always tell them just in a normal voice to 'Watch the house', they then learn from an early age that that means that they are to be on their own for a while and we will be back soon. Each new pet then learns from the older ones that this is just a usual occurrence. We are softies and they are always left with the radio or television on for company and to drown out any little noises that might disturb them. Now they are older we usually disturb them when we get back as they are usually fast asleep in their beds or on the sofa.
DeleteThank you.
'Dangerous' Mavis, bless her ;) She sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteYes, the leaflets in every mag make me cross. What a waste of paper. Mine go straight to recycling too.
I really enjoyed the video, Sue, so thanks for that. I can see why it resonates so much, there are many similarities in your lifestyles.
I know .... she has not got a dangerous bone in her sweet little body. :-)
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